596 Comments
Michel's avatar
A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I forgot to discuss Lichen Scelorosis and DMSO. That has been updated in the article.

Joanne's avatar

I am looking forward to it and thank you. I have this condition and your articles on DMSO are the reason I became a subscriber.

Margot's avatar

Updated where? The only time it is discussed it links to a book on Amazon.

Kaggi Valentine's avatar

Thanks I am really interested in the potential for DMSO to treat LS. I am curious whether it would have an affect without the use of a steroid and hearing about other readers experiences using it. Has anyone used it topically on the vulvar area?

Joanne's avatar

I used a steroid for a few days eventhough I was reluctant. It may have helped a little. But what I've mostly done is use a natural moisturizer several times a day on the vulvar area. I have added DMSO to the jar of that moisturizer. I also sometimes apply additional DMSO directly to the vulvar area but mostly after I applied the moisturizer to the area first. I would say that this has been more successful than the steroid cream. I am/have also done other things to address Lichen Sclerosus (like trying to get rid of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), which seems to be an important culprit in autoimmune diseases (and Lichen Sclerosus definitely has an autoimmune component to it). Getting rid of SIBO is not easy, but I have made good progress and (I think as a result), my Lichen Sclerosus is a lot better! Dr. William Davis is the expert on getting rid of SIBO (in my view). I wish you success!

Lynn's avatar

Could you share what brand of "natural moisturizer" you use?

Joanne's avatar

In a jar, I mix calendula salve (in Canada, I buy the St-Francis Herb Farm brand), vegetable glycerin (my health food store's brand, kept in their fridge) and DMSO in a gel form (I don't remember the name of the Canadian brand I use). I use about equal parts of calendula and DMSO with less glycerin in order to keep this moisturizer on the thickish side (not too liquid/runny).

Lindsay Moore's avatar

Thoughts on DMSO for calcified Retinoblastoma tumor ? My son was born with an eye tumor ( treated 20 years ago).

erin's avatar

Did you happen to see anything about DMSO and prurigo nodularis?

1112's avatar

I get so excited when you drop a dmso article!

Janet's avatar

I read every word and every comment. So exciting.

KarenAnnH's avatar

Me three!!!

David McDonald's avatar

I am a family doctor in Houston and a nurse I work with had a friend who had chronic neck pain since a car wreck at age 19. She is 55 years old now and had a neck surgery to relieve the pain in August this year which did not help. I applied the DMSO 70% gel to her neck and the pain was 100% gone in 1.5 hours. She has been using daily since and has been pain free for a month now. Amazing!!!!

BethanyAnne's avatar

Couple issues resolved (Blessings upon you, Doctor);

I have had an itch (but no blemishes) on the top of my foot, small area about the size of a 50 cent piece, for YEARS. Never could figure out what it was, and nothing could ease the itch. Put DMSO on it, and the itch is finally freaking GONE. No more nights of scratching myself into a frenzy, and praying that the ammonia works THIS time.

Had a herpes outbreak. I've had that miserable crap for decades, nothing works on it. Put DMSO on it a few days ago, didn't even think to check it til this article came out. It apparently dried up when I wasn't looking, and there's no residual itch left over. No digging off scabs over and over again, waiting for this miserable crap to dry up and heal. Didn't even have to break the initial blisters to get it to start healing. Just dried up and blew away. Wish I knew about this stuff decades ago, would have saved me a lot of scarring and misery.

I use my DMSO full strength in topical applications. It doesn't seem to bother me much but occasionally. I ignore the occasional burny itchies, they don't last that long.

This is the only Substack I subscribe to.

Michelle Sebastian's avatar

Thank you for this! I have been waiting for this one to see how I could help my daughter with hidradenitis. After seeing how it helped the flare she had I was so hopeful. We are truly thankful for you for bringing this to light. We will continue to use this topically even when boil is not present as preventative measure. So far that specific boil has not returned….which is an improvement as they often return every month during her cycle.

Cks73's avatar

My cat had a very large abscess on his chest that was draining a creamy pink liquid. Had the area shaved and irrigated it. I applied DMSO 99% twice a day and it literally healed in two days.

Incredible stuff!

Cks73's avatar

I should have been more specific. I diluted 99% DMSO WITH DISTILLED WATER TO 70%. Applied it directly to incisions and swollen area 2x/day.

I have also used this same dilution in myself and my son.

Carol B's avatar

Thank you.

I have a little mini-weenie rescue. They want to remove growth but elevated liver enzymes is delaying surgery. He also has some teeth issues. But I was sort of given the ok to use natural methods to see what I could do with the growth. I have some 70% dmso. I’ll mix with castor or coconut and rob on spot after I do a test patch.

All the vet knows to do is antibiotics.

sue's avatar

Sounds like it was full strength - re: 'DMSO 99%'. (Just saying in case no reply from Ck73).

Carol B's avatar

Thank you. I have a rescue, mini-weenie. He has large ulcer like lesion. Surgery in 2 weeks for teeth cleaning and removal of lesion. Looks pretty ugly, don’t know if it can be removed. He’s 9 and in rescue. I bought 99% DMSO. Can I clean wound and apply topically! Put drop or 2 of 99% in coconut oil or castor and apply. He can reach the wound so might lick some unless it feels good and doesn’t aggravate him. I want to avoid this surgical excision.

carrie feuer's avatar

DMSO fixed my tooth. I am 74 and had a molar that was going. Your article that mentioned DMSO and dental issues got my attention. I bought some online and started to just dab some on my cheek where the tooth is. After 6 days of doing that twice a day, that molar no longer is loose, no longer hurts and I can even eat on it again...soft stuff but could not do that 7 days ago. I am amazed and can't figure out what is going on...my only question would be should I just keep doing it forever (my instinct) or not?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Your guess is as good as mine. After a month it will probably plateu and at that point you'll need to see if the tooth worsens if you stop DMSO.

Roxanne's avatar

Did you dab it on the inside, next to the tooth, or on the outside of the cheek? Thanks, and awesome result!

carrie feuer's avatar

i do it on the outside

truly awesome result

Felipe Lopeceron's avatar

Carrie, would you mind sharing the information of the place and the DMSO used? I would appreciate it immensely.

carrie feuer's avatar

i used one recommend by the doc...70% solution from the Jacob Lab place

Felipe Lopeceron's avatar

You are so kind. THANK YOU. (I am browsing it now).

VictorDianne Watson's avatar

I burned my wrist on a pressure cooker and applied DMSO right from the bottle. The pain went right away and never blistered or peeled. I applied it only once more. My husband had an arthritic great toe and was to the point he couldn’t wear a shoe on that foot. Even a sock hurt. We applied the DMSO and the pain disappeared within 1/2 hour. Thanks for all your help!

VictorDianne Watson's avatar

I used Nature’s Gift, 70%. Worked well. It also stopped the pain from my neuropathy in my feet which I had written about before. It’s a miracle!

Tyler McKinnon's avatar

As a dermatologist, I've been waiting for this one and I can't wait to try it on some of the more resistant conditions we deal with.

However, you're vastly overstating the danger of Accutane in treating acne, I've treated probably over a thousand patients with accutane, with none having had severe long term side effects. I have no need of DMSO in treating acne, as accutane will often permanently "cure" acne safely, and DMSO would have to be used topically indefinitely.

I've tried topical %70 DMSO at your suggestion for a chronic tricep tendinosis that I developed from weight lifting, and, it's gone. Fantastic. I also used it subsequently for a strained bicep tendon with one application being sufficient for improvement. Hasn't recurred since. And it was amazing how quickly the pain disappeared, as I applied it immediately after doing bicep curls, and aggravated the tendon, within 30 seconds of applying the DMSO, pain was gone. Hasn't recurred in 2 weeks since.

My three year old son just developed a plantar wart, and as a dermatologist, let me tell you, warts are one of the most frustrating skin conditions to treat because of their resilience. I can freeze them, or apply topical fluorouracil/salicylic acid, use immune sensitization (squaric acid dibutyl ester, or dinitro chloro benzene), or cut them off. Doesn't matter, they recur frequently and people get frustrated. So I am going to do a trial on my son's plantar wart. We'll see how it does.

Can't wait to try it on the next difficult venous ulcer I see, or use it if I have a flap or graft that could use it. We have effective treatment for herpes and shingles, but maybe if the patient has post-herpetic neuralgia I could give DMSO a try.

Likewise, for androgenic hairloss we have low dose oral minoxidil therapy which tends to be about as effective as it sounds like DMSO would be (and sounds like they may shar a mechanism of action there), and is very safe at the low dose that is used, so I don't see much utility for that.

If I see an eczema patient that won't respond to topical steroids (pretty few and far between), I might consider giving DMSO a try before going to injectable medications. The same goes for psoriasis.

Also, metronidazole never helps acne, but what you are referring to is its treatment of rosacea, theorized to be dues to killing demodex mites. But metronidazole is very ineffective at that. Topical ivermectin is actually the treatment of choice, funny enough.

Also exosomes are the new hot thing in dermatology, but their utility for hairloss has not been as exciting as promised so far. Hopefully they will go on to prove more helpful than they currently look.

Thanks for the articles, great information!

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I would love to hear any other feedback on you have as a dermatologist!

With the exosomes, the results you get are much better with the amniotic fluid derived one, but most of the ones sold are the cheaper stem cell derived one.

In regards to accutane, in some cases the damage is acute and immediate but in most cases it's delayed (and sometimes triggers after the treatment is stopped) so it's harder to identify. I know a lot of people who had serious issues permanent complitations with that drug and I hence spent a while researching it, but I may also be biased due to how many people I directly know who were harmed by it.

Janet's avatar

See the comment I made below to the dermatologist about the Accutane damage to my grandson. Is taking this really worth the danger? I think not. Unfortunately the ones who take this are young and a spotty skin is tantamount to no life worth living in their minds and shame is part of it. I’m sick about what it has done to him.

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2 déc. 2024
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lissu's avatar

I had rosacea (not severe) since 1985. I used a mix of aloe vera & DMSO for a couple of weeks and have not seen a red spot since! :-)

KC's avatar

I know 2 people who cured their rosacea with topical ivermectin. I used it for a weird rash on my skin (with DMSO) that cleared up in 2 months (after having it 5yrs)

Janet's avatar

Where do you get topical IVM? Is it available through vets?

brian thompson's avatar

Some people use the now-less-feared horse paste as topical IVM. Search on Amazon for Duramectin Ivermectin Paste 1.87% for Horses, 0.21 oz

Janet's avatar

Thanks. I ingested the paste at times. I have a tractor supply in town where I got that and the DMSO horse gel.

brian thompson's avatar

Tractor supply close by! You're in luck! 1 lb of DMSO gel for $29, 99% pure--that ought to last awhile!

When covid got going and word of IVM as a possible treatment was spreading, the Tractor Supply near me stocked up on it. Then the FDA made fun of IVM and TS dropped their price for the apple flavored stuff to $2.50 per box. That's when I showed up. I bought 10 boxes--then wished I bought more when we all realized what the FDA was really up to. Amazon now has it for around $9/box (one syringe full).

Sun Seeker's avatar

I sourced from India. Its called Soolantra. you might find it online. I am going to try with acne and also for wound healing and will let you know my result

Janet's avatar

My 18 yo grandson took a course of Accutane and now he has hip and leg joint pain. He had to move his college dorm to one at the bottom of a hill because the hike up was too hard. Plus he has to use a cane sometimes. 18 yo mind you. It’s been several months since he stopped the drug and nothing has changed. Do you have any information that could help this SIDE EFFECT Doctor?

JC's avatar

You might go to Rxisk.org and share his story, and commiserate with others.

I just believe the derma-doc hasn't seen it. Doesn't mean it isn't happening.

Ronan's avatar

I concur with the good doctor on the damage caused by Accutane. Some of my most difficult to treat patients were on Accutane when younger. It causes significant cellular dysregulation over time - probably related to a collapse in zeta potential. This dysregulation typically takes years to manifest and unfortunately most dermatologists are unaware of the long term damage they are causing their patients.

NB's avatar

I know this is an old post, but my 17 year old son has severe cystic acne, face and back. Dealing with it for years. We have tried topical retinol at different strengths, antibiotics, dietary changes. He hasn’t eaten anything but whole foods for a year (no sugar, no chips, no bread, no candy) just meat, veggies, fruit, milk and water. No change. I think it is definitely hormonal. He is now taking DIM twice a day and we have seen maybe a very slight change, but maybe I’m just hopeful. Last derm visit his answer was accutane. I have never considered it an option. My son is too concerned about the effects on growth that he does not want to take it.

Just ordered 50% dmso and am willing to give it a try. The 70% was too strong for me, I am fair and so is he.

Anyone have any results to share in trying this with severe acne?

Anna Blue's avatar

My 18-year-old daughter has also been dealing with acne for years. It started with a cyst on her nose about 5 years ago that wouldn't go away, and then she developed more cysts on her nose (shortly after going on a low dose antibiotic for a month and half--against my better judgement but she really wanted to try it). Those cysts on her nose have started to come and go, and now her acne is worse all over the mid-line of her face. Nothing doctors or dermatologists have prescribed has worked, nor did ivermectin work (which I ordered from The Wellness Company through their kit).

She tried DMSO shortly after this article came out and thought it might be working briefly, but I know she stopped that too because ultimately she felt it wasn't working. Her acne is worse than ever now, even after she's been on the GAPS (Gut and Physiology Syndrome) protocol for almost 3 months now. The GAPS diet seems to be helping some of her other issues (fatigue, headaches and stomach aches from food intolerances), but the acne is persistent, which is so demoralizing and frustrating. If her gut is healing, I would think her face would too, but so far that isn't happening. We have not (and will not) try accutane.

I hope you find what works for your son. Good luck!

Rowan's avatar

Organic , grass fed collagen for 2 months helped seal up my leaky gut - it was quite miraculous.

Good luck.

NB's avatar

Thank you Anna. I wish you and your daughter well. I wish I could fix it for him and I have sure tried. Not giving up and not going to accutane.

I just read about high dose vitamin B5 being a possible treatment.

Anna Blue's avatar

Thank you! I keep hoping TMD will do a post about gut health and/or acne, but I'm sure there are so many causes and it really depends on the individual. It feels like we've tried every natural remedy and have spend so much time and money on naturopaths, testing, supplements, etc., but nothing has worked (yet) for the acne part :(

NB's avatar

I know this doesn’t help but my oldest son had severe cystic acne as well. Painful on his back and shoulders, like my youngest, and just demoralizing on his face, like my youngest. I think, in my non-medical opinion, it is hormonal and genetic. Many on my husband’s side of the family same issue. My middle son escaped it. On the plus side, my oldest, once into his very early twenties had no issues and his skin cleared and thankfully no scarring which I can’t believe. We will keep trying natural remedies and avoid anything that may cause long term effects and just play the waiting game.

I am deep diving like crazy on this B5. It is water soluble, unlike vitamin a, so I believe less health issues with it, but I am not confident about the high doses people seem to take. May start much lower to see.

Anna Blue's avatar

Your older son is so lucky he didn't end up with scarring after his acne resolved. My daughter has pock marks along her hairline from relatively minor acne she used to get there years ago, and the skin on her nose is very irregular from the cysts that come and go. She has been having nonstop acne on the entire mid-line of her face now for over a year (a combination of whiteheads, blackheads, and other atypical lesions). We adopted her at 10 months so it may be genetic but we really don't know. I've never seen anything quite like what she has on anyone else, even searching online. I do think it is related to her other gut issues, and she suffered from constipation even as a baby so I suspect her gut issues go way back and the symptoms have just gotten worse over the years.

I will look into the high dose B5 research--we haven't tried that, but she doesn't seem to absorb supplements properly (probably due to her leaky gut), so I suspect we need to figure out how to resolve that first and we're not quite there yet even after 3 months on the GAPS diet. I have a recommendation for a functional medicine practitioner in our area who we may work with, but I'm waiting for my daughter to take the lead.

Scattergood Baines's avatar

How many are still treating their teen aged patients 30 years later is the question.

JC's avatar

Rxisk.org has a lot of testimony of sufferers from Accutane (I believe it is called Ro-Accutane in the UK).

Often people do not believe it is connected to the drug, and do not report. You may not be aware of what is happening, even with your long experience.

OneDayAtATime's avatar

Please report back on whether DMSO helps your son's wart. That would be a blessing.

Barbara Dyjak's avatar

I'm a 76 year old female, and am wondering if you have had any experience with DMSO for hair loss, to date? I have exhausted just about every avenue, and as yet, no cause has been definitively determined. I would have sworn it was hormonal, because of my history, yet, compounded thyroid & bio-identical hormones have had no effect. Vitamins/minerals also, yield no hair growth. I used DMSO for a couple of weeks, and my hair is noticeably thinner! There isn't much real guidance out there, and I need it desperately. Sadly, I'm too alarmed to continue. At this point, I'm searching for any & all resources. I don't have many other health issues, but have developed dermatitis on my eyelid. I suppose it's allergic in nature, and keeps coming back. I'm not a fan of cortisone, but have had to use it periodically. It's no solution. I've tried castor oil, vitamin E, cocount oil. They all help. but no cure. So far, I have not seen any reference to using DMSO near the eyes. It works fine for arthritis, though. Thanks for any information you can impart!

Diane's avatar

I’m on my 70s. I lost probably 25% of my hair about 3 months after having covid, not a very serious case. A doctor I saw couldn’t find a cause and didn’t think it had anything to do with Covid. Bloodwork was fine. However since this happened, I have found several women who have had the same thing happen after Covid. My hair grew back on its own with no treatment.

Brewer55's avatar

For me, DMSO has not helped with my psoriasis. In fact, after a few days the small area of plaque turns into a much larger area of red rash. This happened after applying it to my bicep and on the other side of my arm Both areas are now red and warm. When this occurred a month or so ago, it dissipated after about a week or so.

Flatulus Maximus's avatar

I first started experimenting with DMSO as a 70% aloe vera gel. It is relatively slow to absorb, and tended to irritate more sensitive areas with tingling/burning sensations. I switched to 70% gel in water, with slightly fewer issues. Ironically, I have no problem with 99.998% liquid applied ANYWHERE topically. Further, my wife has not smelled anything when I use the pure liquid topically. It was only when I tried taking it internally that she noticed an unpleasant smell. As AMD recommended, I started with a very small amount (2 drops in 4 oz. of water). Neither of us noticed anything when I upped it to 3 drops. 4 drops in 4 oz. resulted in bad breath and rather malodorous sweat, so I stopped taking it internally. (My wife is an angel: she told me she was willing to deal with the aroma if it helped me. I'm content with topical application, as its absorbability is so complete. I'm wondering if combining it with pepperoni and mushrooms would result in a pizza-like smell that everyone would like! :-))

Anna Blue's avatar

With a nickname of "Flatulus Maximus," I'm guessing your wife is pretty tolerant of unpleasant aromas in general ;-)

Sk4vrddw@protonmail.com's avatar

I take chlorophyll to help with the odor. Capsules or liquid.

Flatulus Maximus's avatar

That's so smart! Neither my wife nor I thought of it. Thanks!

Sk4vrddw@protonmail.com's avatar

Activated charcoal is another option! By the way, both will change the color of your stool, so be prepared for that. AC can be a little constipating, for me at least.

J.'s avatar

Thanks Doc!!! Have been experimenting with DMSO since reading your first article on it. Seems to work just as you say on everything I've tried it on and I'm especially thrilled that it seems to be working on the (non-diabetic) peripheral neuropathy in my feet, which I noticed starting about two years ago. I mentioned the developing numbness in a circle of older friends around an Idaho campfire about that time and was quite surprised to learn that ALL of them also had it, some for 20 years. I had later done some experimentation with very strong magnets, which seemed to help. But I was somewhat distressed to find that I could actually move the numbness up my legs with the magnets, so I stopped the experiment. Researching this effect, I learned that Mercury is apparently very slightly magnetic so I wondered if this might be one of the causes of peripheral neuropathy. In any event, I will keep applying DMSO 30-50% topically, and so far I think it holds great promise for greatly reducing or eliminating this condition, whatever the cause.

Along other lines, I live most of the year in an agricultural region of a South American country where the medical care is, shall we say substandard. I would never go to one of the ubiquitous medical outposts here, or to a hospital in the region unless it was absolutely necessary. So the information that you present is especially valuable to me, both for staying fit and healthy and for the treatment of common problems without medical intervention. I've seen too many people here who have had surgery that might have helped if well done, but who were miserable or debilitated by the procedure that was performed. Some even died as a result. I was able to help two friends recently with DMSO as a result of your articles. The first was a construction worker who twisted his knee badly while working and had significant pain. The doctors had told him he required surgery and he dreaded this prospect. So we tried the topically applied 30% DMSO. Within minutes, he brightened and said that all the pain was gone. While it remains to be seen how he heals (and hopefully he won't re-injure himself) he is now a true believer. The second was a wonderful woman that I have known for years. When I encountered her recently she looked as though she had aged by years. She was glum and hunched over, protecting her right shoulder and terribly swollen right hand. It seems she'd been diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff some months before and had received surgery for it, which obviously didn't go well. So we tried topically applied 50% DMSO slathered on her shoulder and the full length of her arm. The results here were similarly astounding. Within a couple of minutes, her mood brightened considerably, the swelling in her hand was noticeably diminished and she was able to move her arm freely, even raising it above her head, something she hadn't been able to do for months. So again, time will tell how she heals. But I think that the relief of pain and the brightening of mood that DMSO can bring will make a great contribution to healing in any case. Again, Thanks for all that you do!

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Thank you for your kind words.

Josie Beug, DVM, CVA's avatar

I am a veterinarian and this past month I have a client whose dog is suffering from vasculitis, secondary to Rocky Mountain Spotted fever infection. The dog developed punctate lesions in the bottom of all the pads of the feet and one morning she awoke to find the foreleg black from pooled blood. She knew of DMSO from her equine days and began applying it. The lesions on the pads have healed up and the purpura on the leg was resolved in 24 hours. To us it is a miracle!

Carol B's avatar

That is incredible. Thank you for sharing,😀

Susie Arnett's avatar

I had a weird bruise show up on my knuckle the other day and my finger was a bit swollen and couldn’t fully bend it. Not sure what happened. Put dmso on it and within 10 min the swelling had gone down and I was able to bend it again.

I love this stuff!!

Thank you for sharing about this and everything you write about 🙏🙏

Gary Morgan's avatar

Amen on the variability! I finally found I could tolerate 1/4 teaspoon every other day. I've been doing that for a couple of weeks, and will try increasing it to 1/2 teaspoon. By the way, I still have very vivid dreams at that low dose, but they are tolerable.

Kyle's avatar

Thank you so much for all of your hard work and dedication in writing these articles! I started using DMSO a week or so ago and it helped my carpal tunnel wrist pain immediately and have begun using it on my knees and shoulders as well with good results.

My wife can't stand the smell on my breath though so I'm in a conundrum because it really seems like a miracle substance but if it repulses my wife I can't have that! Does anyone have any tips on minimizing the smell? I'm using the 99.9% DMSO Store product, diluted to ~80%. Thanks again Midwestern Doc!

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I will discuss that in a later article. I still have so much to do on this :'(

pimaCanyon's avatar

the obvious solution to the smell that your wife cannot tolerate is to get her to start taking it, either internally or topically :-)

Kyle's avatar

I'll just have to start dosing her morning coffee :D

Réka Réka's avatar

Maybe try chewing some parsley?

KarenAnnH's avatar

Look into MSM. I understand that can mitigate the side effect of the smell.

VICTORIASPANGLER6591's avatar

MSM can help tremendously with joint pain and strong finger nails as well.

Kyle's avatar

Thanks for the recommendation, do you know if this is taken alongside DMSO or in place of it? I'm willing to try anything to mitigate the smell so I can keep using DMSO.

KarenAnnH's avatar

I am so glad I found this information.😅 This is a fabulous book; easy to read and interpret. I'm sharing the DMSO with MSM pages. : ) https://photos.app.goo.gl/6msiJ5LK9HrxUcUZA

Kyle's avatar

Thank you for sharing this! I'm definitely going to check out this book

KC's avatar

I believe you can find a combination of MSM + DMSO at Jacob Lab. It's a gel and doesn't cause the garlic-y smell when applied topically

Kyle's avatar

Found it, thanks! They call it EXCELSA and it looks like they have 2 versions.

Both have 15% MSM. One is a liquid with 1% DMSO, and the other is a gel with 2% DMSO.

Being such a low percentage of DMSO, I wonder how well it works vs the 70% and up dilutions that are typically recommended.

JC's avatar

I actually got some good results from veterinary 1%. Sometimes, less is more. I put it on my finger, and a little skin-horn dropped off, forming a crater. the crater took a week to heal, but the horn is gone.

It also clears up acne overnight. Sometimes I put it on over a witch hazel, aloe, tea tree & clary sage lotion. But DMSO is the only thing that shifts my acne. And the 1% seemed to be strong enough!

Adam Norman's avatar

I'm in the same situation with my wife - she was appalled at the smell and won't let me use it again. There must be an answer - I did read peppermint oil negates it but not sure?

KC's avatar

Yes, I have it but never use it since the 70% works well for me. The smell only last 5-10mins of me too and not on my breath. But I have a massage therapist friend who only uses the gel and loves it, so I just don't know

KarenAnnH's avatar

I read in the comments (that I can't find now) about MSM. Look at this link, under 'What is DMSO?' It goes right into discussion of the odor side effect.

Cathy Lee's avatar

I simply use MSM. No odor. Human clinical evidence. 1 to 3 grams per day. You can even check out the research in PubMed even has research on joint, skin, including wrinkling and collagen and hair growth. It is naturally healthy and no odor. I really feel that’s what the DMSO was doing is just delivering sulfur to the tissues. Unless you’re combining it with something else and then it’s gonna carry that too. MSM was also studied in asthma in my three decades of learning I read where Dr. Jacobs that extensive work with MSM I think sometimes topical is great but for something healthy and natural to use in my body every day, I’m taking MSM

URsomoney's avatar

I had the exact same experience. Used the 99% dmso store on a re-injured wrist that I had surgery on years ago. After 3 days it was completely healed but my husband complained that my breath was terrible - this lasted for about 5 days after stopping treatment. I also noticed that when I blow dried my hair it smelled - this lasted several weeks. I want to use this but can’t go around afraid to breathe around people.

Kyle's avatar

Wow I can't believe you could still smell it in your hair for weeks. I know that lots of people use DMSO with aloe, castor oil, etc, for added benefit. I wonder if that might help the smell or if it will always be there regardless if using DMSO. Definitely a bummer because it works so well, but yeah I can't be around people smelling like that :/

J. Harris's avatar

Kyle, unfortunately, “the smell” a user puts off is a side affect. BUT, it’s worth it! I also think women have a heightened sense of smell (smell is used to determine if a mate is healthy for reproduction.) I use essential oils on myself to help mask “my smell” as well as essential oils in a diffuser for my house. I also use Dr. Henry’s tooth powder to help alleviate my breath smell.

Like PimaCanyon mentioned, maybe getting others to use it will make them less susceptible to “the smell”?!? As a user, I can’t smell it except when I urinate and sometimes when I sweat. Maybe if others use it, they won’t smell it?!?

Also, I’ve never “tasted” it when using it topically. Maybe I’m not as sensitive to it?!! Which is ironic since I’m a highly sensitive person to synthetic chemicals, especially the current super-smelly laundry detergents and such.🤣

JC's avatar

When I was in my 20's - in the 80's - I used it for back pain. I remember the garlic taste, and thought it was amazing how that happened.

This recent round, I haven't tasted it at all - though I do smell it while applying, and sometimes body stench.

yantra's avatar

Kyle, it is possible that one of the DMSOstore products might solve that problem, as they have a low-odor version which eliminates most of the odor-causing dimethyl sulfide. Do you have their low-odor type and if so is it still causing the dmso breath problem?

Kyle's avatar

Hi, yes it is the "low odor pharma grade 99.995%" version. If it really is that pure, I wonder if there could be any difference with another brand... I wonder if it is different for each person in how their body processes it and if the smell is strong or not?

JC's avatar

I reckon some of the 'rotten" part of the smell is detox. That - as you use it, the smell might lessen?

I'm really hoping this is the case.

KarenAnnH's avatar

This is what I've read too. The body does go through a detox process. The healthier the body; the lower the smell, is indicated.

URsomoney's avatar

A lot of people are talking about the smell when applied. That’s very short lived & not what I’m talking about. It is literally in my breath & the hair is only noticeable when I’m drying it/applying heat. From what I understand from people who have used this for years is that there is nothing you can do about dmso smell in terms of how your body processes it. Maybe there is a low dose but will it work for me? I started with taking it to 70% & didn’t get results. The 99% pure worked great. Not sure if it’s my body “detoxing” as people mentioned & if it will go away with continued use.

Kyle's avatar

Exactly, I don't care about the smell of the DMSO liquid, it's the smell on my breath and seemingly coming out of my pores that is hard to get on board with.

If it's something that lessens or goes away after the "detox" period, that would be great. I guess the only way to find out is to go for it and try to stay away from people during the trial period haha

URsomoney's avatar

That’s what I’m thinking. I can live with my husband telling me my breath smells but not being around others. I used it again on my fingers - I’ve had Raynauds my whole life & I lightly brushed some on my fingers - 2x in last couple days. It’s been in the teens here & I have had no Raynauds episodes which I would get just walking around Costco or a grocery store. This is amazing - & that the hand doctors- which I’ve seen several, don’t know to recommend it. I know it’s not a cure but curious to see how long an application lasts.

yantra's avatar

sorry to hear that - i haven't run into that problem - yet anyway, but since it gives me unpleasant, long-lasting headaches, i have not used it much.

VictorDianne Watson's avatar

I had another positive experience with DMSO yesterday and wanted to report it. I was working with pine boughs to make a Christmas arrangement. I must have punctured one of my cuticles with a pine needle. As the day wore on the discomfort became more pronounced so I soaked my finger in hot water. That did not help so I soaked the finger for about 10 minutes in 70% DMSO. Within a few minutes after soaking I could feel the throbbing going away and the finger looked less inflamed. Today it’s just slightly sore. As soon as I get a minute, I’m going to soak it one more time. I can’t believe how quickly the injury began to resolve. It’s miraculous. Thank you for these articles, AMD. They have to be read and reread. So much important information to absorb.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I am also periodically adding studies I missed to them!

Lloyd Chambers's avatar

It's odor from skin and clothes, not breath. I don't know about the "reductive stress" thing, I just know that after 3.5 years of 'long COVID" involving Hashimoto's and EBV, I have finally beaten both the fatigue and the auto-immune disease and I have regained my strength (used to be a competitive double century cyclist so that is no small claim).

Janet's avatar

How do you use it for hashimotos? I’ve been painting 70% on my thyroid area for about a week. What symptoms of recovery have you felt? Or have blood tests shown it? Glad it’s helped you.

Lloyd Chambers's avatar

I'm sorry I wasn't clear, there is a followup comment I made that clarified.

In brief, I do not credit DMSO for curing Hashimoto's. That happened a year prior when everything started feeling right again and the TPO antibody levels got cut in half. While a major improvement, I did not regain my former strength, not even close.

HOWEVER, since I have started using DMSO, I have regained all my former strength back and I can do my 1000 kCal ride now and feel fine. Perhaps it is a coincidence and perhaps not. But it wasn't until after I started the DMSO that I felt the energy surge. Examples of what I expect to be able to do for excercise:

https://windinmyface.com/autoTopic.html?dglyTP=hard%20core

To put it into numbers, I have a lab grade power meter on my bike. I was languishing at 140-160 watts most of this year and with no vigor. After DMSO, power has surged to the 180-200W range, which is where my out of shape body should be at nearly 60 years old.

I have been applying mainly to feet and upper legs and lower legs as these areas seem to react the least to its irritating effects (I use the 99.995% stuff). It allows me to get more into my system by using those areas.

Janet's avatar

Thank you so much for the added information and clarity. I’m very glad you have seen improvements. I have noticed a surge in energy since drinking DMSO. I’m taking T3 now. But dosage is the issue. I have not ever had severe hashimotos symptoms but I changed my diet from long term low carb low calorie to a more pro metabolic diet because my metabolism tanked and no doubt down regulated my thyroid. It’s been hard to switch back to being a glucose burner and not the more inferior fat burner. But I’m getting there. I was gaining weight on the tail end of this keto experiment and my sleep and anxiety was terrible. I

These are improving now, even before the T3.

Lloyd Chambers's avatar

Cut out all grains if you are eating them. Lots of problems tend to go away

Janet's avatar

Thank you. Right. I don’t eat grains except a little white rice. Wheat is a problem for me but I can eat sprouted oatmeal. I read the book “Wheat Belly” in 2012 and joint pains disappeared after I quit. Started limiting PUFAS then as well. I’ve tried sourdough but it’s still wheat so out it goes. 😿 because I love bread with Kerrygold butter.

Lloyd Chambers's avatar

I wish I could explain how I eliminated Hashimoto's after 3 years. I cannot, but it surprised my doctor. However, it involved no grains, not many veggies and steady portions of grass-fed beef (eg 3-4X per week). I suspect there is no magic formula. I also passed through MCAS about 11 months ago, and that is gone too. The immune system is a tricky bugger.

Su's avatar

Can you explain the dosage when you drink DMSO? What concentration of DMSO and what do you mix it with? And how many times a day ? I’d like to try it for Epstein Barr Virus/chronic fatigue. Is high quality DMSO safe to ingest?

Janet's avatar

I put 2 teaspoons in my coffee. I tried orange juice but hated the flavor. I don’t know if it’s helping though. 99.99%.

Giggles LaRue's avatar

How have you done with your Epstein Barr/chronic fatigue? I pray you’ve RECOVERED!!

Fred's avatar

Improved sleep and more vivid dreams with DMSO? Yes that's my experience. I have started using it instead of Hydroxyzine, which I use at times. No side effect, except the foul smell. At work I try to keep a "safe" distance from people!! I guess the muscle relaxing properties of DMSO helps falling asleep, but I guess the there are neurological actions of this miracle drug as well which contribute. I wouldn't say the dreams have become more "pleasant" but definitely more lively.

Janet's avatar

I notice I actually remember my dreams longer. I may be experiencing better sleep. At least I can fall back to sleep much easier

PRice's avatar

Lichen planus on the inside of my right cheek is gone after a month. Don't know whether to attribute that to 20% DMSO swished around then swallowed 5 times a week, or drinking MMS/chlorine dioxide 5 times a week at a different time.

Cece's avatar

Could you link the brand you use?

PRice's avatar

I use the DMSO Store 16 oz. plastic containers. Their product doesn't have much of a garlic taste.

PRice's avatar

Yes, that's it. I dilute it down to 20% with water.

Jeanne Maughan's avatar

How much MMS were you using? Strength and frequency. Thank you!

Sam Miller's avatar

In regards to acne, according to this (https://isom.ca/article/a-stone-that-kills-two-birds-how-pantothenic-acid-unveils-the-mysteries-of-acne-vulgaris-and-obesity/) study, high doses of B5 correct the "deficiency" that causes acne in the first place, in short, it says that the body uses pantothenic acid to produce hormones and to metabolize fat and if the person is deficient in pantothenic acid then the body will favor hormone production over fat metabolism so the excess not properly metabolized fat gets excreted through the skin, something to that extent....

Sun Seeker's avatar

this is a fascinating read ... makes sense. anyone used this to treat acne? I am seeing the pantothenic acid dose is 10mg a day either in supplement or beef liver.

I am currently using 70/30 DMSO to treat my daughters acne with mixed results. The other options of Accutane and antibiotics are definitely not a solution for us.

Also I have read that DMSO combined with an antibacterial agent (antibiotic cream/acyclovir) kills the acne bacteria that causes breakouts. This also makes sense.

Sam Miller's avatar

Here, you can find some more information on this subject. You can also read the comments to read people's experiences with B5 for acne, etc.

https://drdach.com/Acne_B5.html

Josie Beug, DVM, CVA's avatar

I have to add, after reading this article, I am a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine as well. I loved that you mentioned the idea currently being debated in TCM is that of the Triple Burner being the interstitium! It makes so much sense, including how DMSO is so effective.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I had a debate years ago with a TCM practicioner about what the triple burner was, so when I saw the paper right after it had been discovered I went, oh! that's the triple burner!

JC's avatar

I've wanted to study applying DMSO to meridians and points to simulate acupuncture...

Of course, I am NOT a TCM practitioner, so I start with the points I know = triple burner!

vharlow@harlowhome.com's avatar

And, my knees don't work any better, but the pain is gone! I'm so appreciative of your articles on DMSO! Believe me, husbands back issues are better, and he's actually standing straighter! Never thought that would happen! Thanks so much!

BethanyAnne's avatar

My knuckles on my hands are still crunchy as well, but the spasming and pain are gone. I can live with crunchy.

Michael Shoemaker's avatar

I bought the 70% gel from the DMSO store and was surprised with the first tests both my wife I did after successfully patch testing. She had a small burn from accidentially touching the side of a pan on the side of her little finger and just a small dab took the sting away within 30 seconds. I am prone to sebaceous sists on the back of my neck and am used to them growing for weeks and lasting about a month before abating. I had one at the hairline which was about 1" tall and 1/2" wide and probably a quarter inch deep, so I decided why not try it. 20 minutes later it was gone! Not reduced - just gone! Finally, I have a very dark mole on the side of my face that is a bit larger than a quarter inch in diameter so, again, I decided why not! The DMSO didn't eliminate it - which I didn't expect anyway - but the next day it was clearly lighter in color. I will continue to use it and see how that progresses! (It does sting a bit on the neck and face, but minor and goes away after a few minutes.)

Allan katz's avatar

chat answered me -DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) has a freezing point of around 18.5 degrees Celsius (65.3 degrees Fahrenheit). At 8 degrees Celsius, it can solidify, especially if the bottle has been exposed to temperatures below its freezing point over time.

When warmed back above its freezing point, DMSO should revert to a liquid state. You can gently heat the bottle in a warm water bath to help it return to liquid form, ensuring it does not exceed safe temperatures.

As for usability, once it has returned to a liquid state and there are no signs of contamination or degradation, it should be fine to use. Just make sure to check for any changes in appearance or odor, which could indicate it has been compromised.

Réka Réka's avatar

Thanks again for all your research. This article really helps

Big Grey's avatar

After you initial publications on DMSO, I bought a bottle on Amazon and began a daily intake of 1 tsp orally. Bladder pain from emergency catheter (post hernia repair procedure stoppage) was gone within a week. It had been very painful for almost 4 months. Still taking orally with overall health improvements. Also using cream on ankle post fusion surgery with improvements to scarring and swelling. Arthritis not much better but will continue to report.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Oftentimes arthritis has a slower and smaller response.

David Kukkee's avatar

Grateful again to you AMD for all of this work. It will be shared, and put to good use. Thank you. P.s. I spoke to an old (new) friend recently, who suffers from a fairly early stage Dupuytren's contracture, and suggested DMSO. I was happy to see that application addressed in your work. I will follow up with her to see that she gets the benefit of your work. God bless you.

Dave S's avatar

Unfortunately, the 20% DMSO I ordered from Canada did not arrive before my Thanksgiving/X-mas travels. I really really really want to use the 20% solution in my eyes. I'm tired of the floaters which are like windshield wipers. I'm also "working on" cataracts, per my eye doctor.

BethanyAnne's avatar

This is going to be a weird question, but I don't suppose there's any literature about this stuff working on weight loss, is there? I suppose I should just count my blessings and be happy it's done so much for me so far. I bought 3 gallons of the stuff, as I wasn't sure who was going to head the HHS/FDA this time around, and make it unavailable to the public.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Not to my knowledge, although I could see a few reasons why it might help.

JC's avatar

I have lost about a kilo of water weight since I started ingesting.

I have a fairly clean diet, but still struggle with carb cravings (and not the good kind, either).

Since I started ingesting - knowing that the DMSO is transporting everything everywhere - it has curbed my cravings - just don't want to add anything else into the mix. Plus - whatever it is the internal DMSO does - seems to help with those cravings. I just don't want it.

Michelle's avatar

Just getting started reading this, but thank you so much for posting this now AMD, as my 17 yo daughter is just days away from starting photon radiation for metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma.

Sk4vrddw@protonmail.com's avatar

I became a subscriber because of your DMSO articles. I know you hear that a lot, but thank you so much! I really look forward to them. Another fascinating one. I'm eagerly looking forward to DMSO and cancer treatment articles.

I'm currently taking a tsp of DMSO in 6oz of genuine Essiac tea, twice a day, and sometimes 3 times a day. I had to gradually work up because I am one who did experience a headache. But a day off resolved it and no issue since until I pushed it to 3 times a day. But by this time it only caused a temporary mild headache. Keeping hydration up is important. I take chlorophyll to alleviate the odor issue, which I will warn you turns your poop green. It didn't cause the alarm that can happen when you forget you ate beets recently but it was momentarily mystifying.

I feel like the hardness of the lump is softening a bit, and the sensitivity has lessened. I would sometimes get strange zappy sensations, but not anymore. I have been doing this combination for about a month.

I will additionally begin spraying a diluted solution on topically, but I am one who definitely experiences irritation and skin dryness. I likely will apply some castor oil or black seed oil over the DMSO hopefully for therapeutic benefit but also to alleviate my skin from drying out.

Wanted to add, that overall my energy levels have improved. I do wonder if it interferes with sleep though. It seems energizing. I feel like I sleep more lightly but weirdly, I don't feel negatively impacted by it. Its odd.

Thank you the wonderful articles.

Stephen Schumacher's avatar

Thanks again for this great info package! Sorry to be a nudge repeating this question, but I'd really appreciate more info about spraying (which you said was the best method on skin) re best spray bottles to buy, whether to fill them up or just put in a small amount at a time, and whether it's okay that the spray top mechanism (including the intake tube immersed in DMSO) is plastic... and likely not DMSO-safe plastic. Even the glass spray bottle sold at DMSOstore.com doesn't say its plastic is DMSO-safe (and only comes in 8oz size).

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

The short answer is that I don't know and have not investigated it.

GingerRRT's avatar

I have been using these spray bottles with no apparent issue to me

Purchase spray bottles: https://www.amazon.com/Amber-Glass-Bottles-Essential-Bottle/dp/B08252DJHN/

Purchase small mixing glass:

https://www.amazon.com/Ackers-Measuring-Heavy-Espresso-Line,V-Shaped/dp/B0BCJJ343M

DMSO 50/50 percentage:

* Pour equal amount of 100% DMSO and distilled or RO water into glass container.

* Pour into spray bottle

I have been using 70% DMSO in spray bottles

Percentage calculator https://www.calkoo.com/en/solution-dilution-calculator

Kathy Castrigno's avatar

I and 2 of my friends have all asked the exact same question about the plastic part of the spray bottle. It does seem like the straw part in the DMSO might not be great.....

Shel's avatar

I have been having a lot of dreams. I hadn't made the association. I've been using it very moderately on the skin only. When I was trying to use a little more on the skin only, I was getting headaches and feeling groggy, so I reduced my use of it, but I'm still trying to get some skin issues cleared up.

Maria Hunt's avatar

Maybe it’s the sulphur content that affects your dreams? When I would stay out late in my 20s and eat anything with raw onions (like a taco or Chicago Polish) before bed, I would have very vivid dreams. Scallions (green onions) produced such wild dreams I stopped eating them at night altogether.

Maria Hunt's avatar

And here’s a Reddit thread on using MSM (DMSO’s baby brother) to produce vivid dreams: https://www.reddit.com/r/LucidDreaming/comments/sf06pl/amazing_supplement_for_lucid_dreaming_msm/

BethanyAnne's avatar

My Anatolian, who has been slightly lame since she was very young (presumed shoulder damage from using the stairs too much), seems much better this morning. I massaged the DMSO into her shoulder last night, and she's showing signs of improvement this morning. Doing a DMSO massage on her also helps the arthritis pain in my hands, so win-win!

lissu's avatar

DMSO cleared up my rosacea within a week or two! :-)

I also have a question (different issue): I am interested in trying DMSO to prevent cataracts (which my optometrist has warned me to expect...). My confusion is trying to find a sterile saline solution which is not in a plastic container which could cause toxins to dissolve and land into my eyes. I have saline in larger (plastic) bottles as well as small, sterile vials (which is extracted via needles). But if I take out the saline & mix it with DMSO, then it is no longer sterile. If I add DMSO to a small sterile vial, then I may be getting contamination from the plastic. How should I do this? How can one tell if the plastic is safe with DMSO?

THANK YOU!

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

It's fine if the saline is a plastic container because if you take it out and then mix it with DMSO and then put in the eyes, the DMSO never contacts the plastic.

Satan's Doorknob's avatar

It's good to be careful. You could mix DMSO with saline or other ingredients and store in a glass or plastic-safe container. Same precautions with what you use to apply (dropper? eye cup?)

yantra's avatar

just a random thought, but what if you made your own saline, using pure water, perhaps boiled to sterilize before adding pure salt? keep it in a small sterile bottle.

Linda Walker's avatar

Your research and work on DMSO are greatly appreciated. Thank you so much. My own health is improving with a daily internal dose of DMSO and I’m sharing your DMSO articles with others when I feel they are open to this information.

carrie feuer's avatar

wow, thanks for the comment, quite unexpected

I may do as you suggest, but I may just keep doing it, cause I don't want to risk it going backwards. If you have further thoughts would be delighted to hear them.

But I do want to add my thanks to so many others. The work you do has interested me since I found you during the dark days...but that was more an intellectual activity. It has now turned into a big healing thing for which I am so grateful.

thanks

Stephen Schumacher's avatar

The skin is said to better tolerate spraying than dabbing, but I'd appreciate recommendations about buying, filling, and using glass spray bottles. I'm concerned that though the bottle is glass, the spray top mechanism (including the tube immersed in DMSO) is plastic... and likely not DMSO-safe plastic. Even the glass spray bottle sold at DMSOstore.com doesn't say its plastic is DMSO-safe (and only comes in 8oz size).

Some good news: JacobLab.com just added DMSO 25%, 50%, and 99.98% solutions in 4oz glass bottles through the following links (previously they just sold 70% in glass):

https://jacoblab.com/product/dmso-25-solution-4oz-glass

https://jacoblab.com/product/dmso-50-solution-4oz-glass

https://jacoblab.com/product/dmso-70-solution-4-oz

https://jacoblab.com/product/dmso-99-98-pure-4oz-glass

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I don't know and your guess is as good as mine. If you want to research this and let me know what you feel is the best so I can share it with the readers here, that would be great!

Roxanne's avatar

Got a diagnosis of vitreomacular traction in September, and I live in rural southwestern New Mexico, so my earliest possible retinal specialist appointment is in January. My current philosophy is WTH, why not try DMSO while I'm waiting? Aside from a low-level, wait-and-see approach, I don't care for the other conventional options. And I sure don't care for the macular damage option.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Than has been my philosophy too!

vharlow@harlowhome.com's avatar

Is it possible that continual application of DMSO cream to my husbands bad back could be helping his lungs? He seems to have more energy, is doing more, and I'm wondering! I cover his whole back, shoulders and side ribs down to the bottom each morning.

vharlow@harlowhome.com's avatar

Amazing...he's 85, with pulmonary fibrosis and emphasema and he's getting stronger, refused his wheelchair going to church yesterday, makes the coffee for me before going to bed, and ONLY DMSO back rub and sunlight are different. He wanted to try nebulizing but it was a cheap little thing, and the pure liquid began to eat the plastic in the nebulizer...so I gave up that idea. This was unexpected, and the docs around here don't seem to have ever heard of DMSO!!! I'm going to keep exploring this, and am so very grateful for these articles! Thanks so much. I don't want to lose him!

Barbara Charis's avatar

Thanks for a very comprehensive article. Will be happy to pass it along as I am sure that many would benefit from your DMSO information.

Sonia's avatar

Since some of your examples mentioned smoother skin:

Do you know if it helps for wrinkles or bags under the eyes?

J. Harris's avatar

Yes! I also noticed my stretch marks, on my hips from being pregnant with three kids 2 decades ago, have greatly reduced!

Stephen Due's avatar

Dermatologists have wrecked my skin - blame me (of course) for allowing sunlight (there's quite a lot here in Australia) to land on my skin. Ordered DMSO today from Amazon. Will report back.

sue's avatar

You are probably wearing sunglasses. Sunglasses (and almost all prescription glasses and windows) block UV so you're only getting part of the sun which doesn't work the same. UV signals the eyes to make more melanin so you don't burn. Of course you have to work your way up and develop a sun callous (tan). But it's shocking how much longer you can stay in the sun without burning if you don't wear sunglasses.

Sun totally works. When we are in Hawaii and outside a lot, my husband's lyme is almost non-existent, and I feel great despite numerous health issues. It causes the water in your body to structure (EZ water and zeta potential), and controls your leptin which affects weight.

JC's avatar

IKR? Slip Slop Slap! The Aussies around here think I am barking mad for going out in peak UV hours wearing singlet and shorts for my sun-walk (I'd wear less, if I could, but singlet & shorts is offensive enough!).

Aussies have had so many cancers removed, it's quite the industry here. So when you try to tell them - SUN IS GOOD - they point to all the surgeries they've had. Yet another deep conditioning in this country, and why they largely trusted the herd.

Hubby used to have a great GP, but he went into skin cancer industry, because - hey - good money.

Hunter Elizabeth's avatar

Am so so grateful for these articles and Midw. Doc in general!!!

Have a hard time finding directions for *how* to use DMSO:

1. for asthma, do i drink it in water?

rub on chest? (merely guessing)

2. it apparently helps for insomnia.

how to use? rub on temples perhaps?

3. nasal infection - put some up nostril?

4. aging facial wrinkles - rub on skin?

but it burns!

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

1) Typically rubbed on chest or back drank.

2) Any route can help.

3) That was in the ears nose thread article.

4) Better to dab on and start at a low concentration.

BethanyAnne's avatar

Mix it with a greasy salve or lotion (just be careful there aren't any toxic ingredients in it). I use a CBD salve. Cuts down on the burny itchies. Put the salve or lotion on first, then rub the DMSO into it. For my face, I dilute it with a retinol serum, couple drops of essential rosemary oil, and snail cream (lots of hyaluronic acid in snail cream). I tried that last night, and no burny itchies.

Most of the directions I've found from him have been on his paid subscriber section, I think it was 2 DMSO articles ago.

Libby R's avatar

I have rosacea, so I may try my DMSO on the areas and see what happens.

Libby R's avatar

As a follow up to my 12/2/24 comment re trying DMSO on my roscea—it has helped reduce the inflammation. I use a wet cotton ball to apply a VERY small amount of DMSO. I’ve using it for about a month. I go for a follow up appt next week; I’m interested to see what doc says.

OneDayAtATime's avatar

AMD, thank you for yet another amazing article in this series. I am wondering if a low dose (i,e, heavily diluted) dmso gel or salve could help restore vaginal skin quality in post menopausal women. Do you know of anyone who has tried this?

J. Harris's avatar

Look into Carol Petersen’s work on the use of bio-identical progesterone for post menopause, as well as menopause and peri-menopause. Dr. Mercola recently interviewed her! Although his interview is t as good as others of her I’ve found, it will open your eyes to how important progesterone is for everyone! Dr. Mercola has a video on how to create your own bio-identical compound to use tansmucosally. My powder is to arrive this week and I look forward to experimenting!

BethanyAnne's avatar

I may try it for that. Menopause wasn't very kind to me either.

Natalie Bennett's avatar

I have been disappointed that is it not helping my knee pain (mild osteoarthritis, but with much more than mild pain) - had so much hope! Maybe I haven't stuck to it long enough, but reading stories of people having immediate results is a little disheartening when I don't get that result.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

It seems to help about 80% of recipients with joint pain, so you may be in the 20%.

Natalie Bennett's avatar

I realize I commented on the wrong article, thanks for responding. Do you think there is a minimum amount of time I should try it for?

J. Harris's avatar

Natalie, I would keep trying. I would also, if tolerated, take it orally as well as apply topically. It may need to get more systemic to kick cells into the CDR cycle and flush out the “bad” ones.

I too was one who did not have a “miraculous” response but I’ve been consistently using it, both topically and occasionally orally, for well over 2 months now and have seen healing with multiple issues!!

Recently, I crashed terribly while mountain biking that left me with a very large deep bruise on my quad as well as reinjured my rotator cuff. I immediately applied DMSO along with some castor oil mixed in my hand (not sure the ratio as I was out camping on this adventure). The next morning I was in way less pain. I kept applying morning and night during my trip. I experienced the pain reducing each day and the bruise healed very quickly which is not usually how I respond to bruising.

Natalie Bennett's avatar

I am continuing with it. I am taking MSM crystals dissolved in water instead of the DMSO orally. Thanks for the encouragement. On a positive note, a lump I have had in the palm of my right hand (Dupuytren's Contracture) is going away!!

JAYNE  MCLAREN's avatar

Love the article. In the final part you mention "unless there is an open wound". I didn't read the entire article but focussed on the skin uses of DSMO. My husband has a skin condition that means he has a rash a d sores over his face, some of which weep. Should this not be used on open wounds at all? Can it be of benefit if used on the surrounding skin?

Edward's avatar

DMSO is helping my leg! swelling and inflammation has gone down, getting cooler

Connie Cook's avatar

Thank you!

Rachel's avatar

Thank you! Did you say what percentage of DMSO is optimal for hair loss and/or spider veins?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Yes for hairloss. For spider veins it's whatever you can tolerate.

Rachel's avatar

Found it - thank you! If the issue is eyebrows (instead of scalp hair) would you recommend still going with the lower strength version for faces?

BethanyAnne's avatar

I'm not horribly sensitive to DMSO, so I mixed it full strength with some snail cream (high in hyaluronic acid) and a retinol serum, and didn't have any issues. Although, mixed with that other stuff, I guess you could say it was diluted. I'm just trying to see if that mix improves my skin tone any. Skin is noticeably softer this morning.

JC's avatar

I haven't been trying fit or hair loss (I suffered that some years ago and have recovered somewhat) - I've been working on pain & skin - starting with the small niggly things and working up to the big ones. Started ingesting - not every day, but when I can afford to stink. Ingesting made the topical more effective.

But here's why I'm writing. I looked in the mirror this morning and my hair looks fabulous! It has body, I think it might be a bit darker, fuller, richer. The closest I've gotten to my scalp is at the top of back of neck.

Rowan's avatar

Add some organic, grass fed collagen , which is full of amino acids, along side your current regimen and notice what happens - it works well in synergy with the DMSO, and for me has positively affected my mood as well as hair and skin. Good luck.

JC's avatar

Homemade bone broth, daily. Easier to digest than powders - may not be as "high collagen," but certainly in that direction!

Allan katz's avatar

My skin is clearer , still waiting results for upper foot pain. I left the bottle outside , my wife hates the smell , this morning it was a solid masss , the temp outside was 8 C - celsius . I hope I can still use it

J. Harris's avatar

Allan, it will crystallize (get solid) easily at cool temps. While camping mine would do this! I just set it in the sun to warm up back to a liquid so I could use it. It didn’t seem to affect it as it worked wonderfully!

Janet's avatar

Mine did that in our camper last month. It eventually cleared when I returned home.

Mark Alan's avatar

As a vasodilator, does it have application for ED?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Yes. One person here shared that it had a significant impact for them in this regard.

Sam Miller's avatar

Ed is an indicator of atherosclerosis (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18783349 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20722781/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22519624/) I think the two best options for that are either the Esselstyn diet or the Pauling and Rath vitamin C and l-lysine therapy.

Sandra ---'s avatar

I've had a lump on my upper arm for many years. Doctors didn't seem to know what it was. I started rubbing DMSO on it and it's definitely shrinking. But I do seem to be the type of person who is sensitive to the DMSO- the area where I rub it turns reddish, and it sort of stings (but bearable). So, does this mean that I'm allergic to it and therefore should not take orally?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Those are normal reactions.

Tina's avatar

maybe try Montana Yewtip Salve after DMSO application to relieve discomfort. this info retrieve from Herb Richards’ book about DMSO

Tina's avatar

Yes! I recently bought some for Mom as we tried 50% dmso and suffered skin irritation. Have not received yet so can’t give anecdotal info. Bighorn brand recommended as it has all natural yew tip oil and beeswax and according to Herb Richards are not toxic. Important as dmso is a solvent.

Rowan's avatar

That sounds like lymphoma or a fatty deposit , if its not painful - mine too is shrinking since taking DMSO.

Barbara Dyjak's avatar

Has anyone been able to glean any more information on the application of DMSO for hair loss?I've checked numerous books on Amazon, none cover hair loss. The one that may, is out of print. This article does give some very useful information, but I'd like a little more, if anyone has had personal experience with this. What would really help would be to find a practitioer who uses DMSO protocols, even virtually. I use it for arthritis pain, but the details as to strength and frequency are still rather shetchy. Of course, internal use is something with which professional guidance is critical. I'm nearly 77, and had a brilliant doctor, who was decades ahead of his time, introduce me to DMSO. However, that was over 50 years ago, and I was too young to comprehend the value of it.

LD's avatar

Hi, just curious if you were able to find any information on hair loss.

LJinTX's avatar

So, with all this good stuff that DMSO does with skin and collagen, I might draw the conclusion that DMSO can clear the dreaded cellulite that every woman worries about ... ??? I'm pretty sure there are no studies, because it's not a condition women go to the doctor for ...

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I really don't know. The only other comparison I have is a few people found it dissolved lipomas, but that may not be applicable to cellulite.

Rowan's avatar

Do you have any idea as to the effects of DMSO on ones (healthy) lipid profile? I've spent a long time righting the 'fat is bad / fat free' lipid Nazi's narrative and would not want to disolve away all that good work!

Dave's avatar

There are a lot of people who talk about DMSO helping to dissolve cellulite and google patents have a few people making that case. TikTok has a load of videos when you look up "DMSO Cellulite", though their provenance is dubious of course.

Réka Réka's avatar

I am using dmso for tinnitus an rosacea. I would like to know how long before I can see results? Are the 2 problems related?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

If it will work, my guess is that you should see a change within a month.

Réka Réka's avatar

Thank you for your prompt reply

MarvinBoggs's avatar

Thank you again, AMD!

Any thoughts about DMSO + Castor Oil (topically)?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Lots of people do that. I will cover it later in the series.

Odalis's avatar

You wrote that one must be careful with the topical application of DMSO as it can transport toxins deep into the tissues. That has paralyzed me from using it. Can you further explain how it should be applied safely. Thank you!

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Make sure the skin is clean before applying it.

Roxanne's avatar

FWIW, I apply it after my shower. I've switched to an organic Castile soap for my body, and I follow my conventional shampoo with a white vinegar / water rinse. I figure that is almost as clean and un-chemicaled as I'm going to get. I figure besides, a few fewer unfriendly chemicals in my life can only be a good thing.

J. Harris's avatar

Roxanne- I worry about the chlorine and alum that’s used in my city treated water, especially since warm/hot water opens pours. I don’t have a shower filter! So I “sponge bath” myself with a wash clothing using Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap and cold water. (I also don’t bathe frequently as I want my natural skin oils to do their job as well as the cholesterol sulphate creates my skin exposure to the sun!)

I do make sure my hands are clean before messing with DMSO! While camping I applied my DMSO 100% with a glass eye dropper then covered it immediately with castor oil to “dilute it”. I also mixed it like this in my hand to apply to areas on my back. It worked!

Roxanne's avatar

I think it makes sense to think about water quality. Ours is similarly awful, but we do use a shower filter.

Please tell me more about the castor oil addition. I use castor oil, but independently of the DMSO.

JC's avatar

and most shower filters take out the chlorine - but not the fluoride.

Rowan's avatar

Nor the nano particle based pollutants such as Glyphosate.

J. Harris's avatar

AMD mentioned discussing more about castor oil and dmso. I read about it being used together in one of the many DMSO books I’ve read. I had some good quality castor oil on hand so I used it. I used it primarily as a way to provide a shield between the DMSO and my cotton t shirt and to help dilute it.

Rowan's avatar

Hello J Harris, Which books do you reccomend on DMSO? Thanks

Arabella's avatar

Would you recommend daily application of DMSO to the scalp for hair loss? Would a gel stay longer than liquid? What is the risk of too much of it going to the brain? It has to go through bone to get there.

Also, how can we tell if the cap on the bottle is DMSO proof?

Thanks!

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Would do daily or every other day.

I know the DMSO store makes DMSO resistant caps.

sue's avatar

Do you think stainless steel would be a problem? e.g. Glass bottles with stainless steel roller balls.

Arabella's avatar

Sorry - follow-up question -- would using DMSO with dyed hair be an issue?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Yes, I would not apply it to the scalp if the hair was dyed.

JC's avatar

I would WANT it to go into my brain (unless it was carrying toxins)!

Arabella's avatar

Well, first I asked about "too much" not "any", also I asked in the context of hair dye residue, which has all sorts of fun stuff in it, and third I am very cautious about anything going into my brain even if it's supposed to be good for it. Glad to read your comment elsewhere that your hair seems better!

A very curious mind's avatar

has anyone explored DMSO for Poikiloderma of Civatte?

Lawrence's avatar

I’m reaching out to better understand the potential interactions between DMSO and ozonated glycerin when applied topically. Specifically, I’d like to know:

Chemical Stability: Could mixing these compounds degrade the active ozone in the glycerin or lead to unwanted reactions?

Application Method: Would applying ozonated glycerin first, followed by DMSO afterward, mitigate any risks while still allowing for effective absorption?

Thank you so much for your time and expertise. LS

Linda Kapala's avatar

I also dabble in homeopathy and have used it for many years. Just came across this today from

Helios in London that provides various homeopathy preparations and often rare ones

The last updated Helios catalog was 2022 and they are constantly adding new remedies, often as special orders made for clients. Yet the catalog isn’t updated each and every time they do this.

For example I have been experimenting with DMSO in homeopathic form. This remedy doesn’t appear on their website, and isn’t in the 2022 catalog. But when I emailed them to inquire, they do in fact have DMSO in potencies from 6C to 1M, available to order right now.

Ruthanne's avatar

AS a chemist, I've worked with DMSO in top-of-the-line shampoos as a chelating agent (chelate means claw - they grab stuff). All shampoos have chelators in them because most homes have hard water, shampoos don't bubble well in hard water, and people equate soap bubbling with the soap cleaning. It's not a one-to-one correlation, but shampoo that bubbles well, sells well. So we always add a chelator.

The most common chelator used is EDTA. (Look on your shampoo label if you have a from-the-grocery-store shampoo brand)

My husband had heavy metal poisoning (both lead and mercury) and was prescribed EDTA for lead, and I either DMSA or DMSO for mercury.

DMSO and its friends are quite powerful, and have many applications. Thanks so much for this thorough article!

Jill's avatar

I have trimengial neuralgia on the left side of my face. It has been agonising and incapacitating. My doctor prescribed Tegretol which I have currently been too frightened to take because of the potential side effects, but was starting to feel I had no alternative. I have tried DMSO cream with aloe vera (70% DMSO) for 3 days and the relief has been considerable. The pain has not gone entirely but is more bearable. Unfortunately on the third day my skin has become red, itchy and inflamed. I didn't read your article prior to using it, and having read it now I realise it may be too strong for me at 70% so have ordered 35% gel which I am hoping will not cause the allergic reaction. I am so grateful for your research and for all the helpful comments. I will also try using DMSO on a variety of minor skin issues and other complaints. Mainly, I have hope now instead of a lot of pain and misery. And what's more, as a consequence of rubbing the cream into my skin, the pain from my arthritic fingers has almost gone!

Annie Mc's avatar

Does anyone know where to find camptotheca nut extract? I’d like to try it with dmso for psoriasis. Thank you!

PatientinWaiting's avatar

Perhaps I've missed this, but what is the best source of sterile water to use for diluting DMSO? I'm definitely one of the "sensitives" and always need to start low and go slow, but sterile water that's stored in plastic doesn't seem like a good choice since it seems like the microplastic particles might be pulled in. Would boiling water in a glass pot for 10 minutes (to kill tough walled bacteria like NTM) be a good option? Thanks!

Julie Baker's avatar

Bless you Doctor. Have you any comment on using DMSO around eye tissue? I have some inflammation on eyelid from blephritis. No one I’ve ever seen has any idea how to help cure it. I’ve tried everything from tea tree oil to IPL laser. Thank you.

Julie Baker's avatar

Hi Doc, I was gonna give this a couple weeks but I’m having such amazing results from using DSMO around my eyes I wanted to get in touch. I have a really complicated eye history—mostly retina stuff (drusen, ERM and high pressure) that I’m told is just genetic bad luck. I also have super dry eyes and have had belphritis many times that left my eyelids inflamed for a very long time. I ordered DMSO from amazon and Jacob labs and so far have just tried the amazon ‘natures gift’ version. I’ve had inflammation on eyelids for over a year. It’s almost gone in about a week. I also think it may be making ‘floaters’ less bothersome—but maybe my eyes are just less dry. I don’t know whats going on or how it works—but it is helping. I sent to one of my eye dr’s but no response. I want to figure out how to get it in an eye drop…but I def need someone to direct me on this. Thank you does not cover how thankful I am that you researched this and posted about it. Very grateful! I have photos that show the diff. THANK YOU. Julie Baker

Pam Morris's avatar

Dr! Please contact Dennis Prager to acquaint him with DMSO. Dennis broke his/C3/C4 and needs this miracle. Use your medical clout to reach him. This could help people like Dennis and others experience what DMSO can do. Thank you.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I don't solicit public figures with unrequested health advice.

Stan Stalter's avatar

Not sure how to contact you for billing issues. I am getting charged twice for this substack subscription. Two $7 charges for both November and December. How does this get resolved? Thanks

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

If that's happening, you have a second account that is also paid.

VA87's avatar

I have a few questions I'm hoping can be addressed:

A) I have been found to be a severe undermethylater (as determined by Doctor's Data testing https://www.doctorsdata.com/Methylation-Profile-plasma). Will DMSO serve as a methyl-donor to help supply my need?

B) I understand that DMSO is flammable: is there any risk of flash-burns in typical use? and can it be carried in luggage on airplanes?

C) I understand that the heating action of mixing water with DMSO is because chemical bonds are being broken thereby releasing energy in the form of heat: Do these broken bonds/formation of new bonds decrease the effectiveness of DMSO or in any way create new componds that could be problematic?

Thank you so much for all your work in researching/writing about DMSO!!!

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

1) I don't know.

2) Is not an issue as long as you don't expose it to a flame.

3) No, not in anyway an issue.

VA87's avatar

Thanks for the response!

OneDayAtATime's avatar

For what it's worth the Material Safety Data Sheet for DMSO says that it's not considered a dangerous good by IATA (air transport ) or IMDG (maritime transport) -

https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/sds/sigma/d8418

Here's what TSA has to say about biological specimens in preservative solutions like DMSO:

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/biological-specimens-non-infectious-preservative

VA87's avatar

Thanks for the response and links!

Emma's avatar

Thank you for this article. Is there any concern with taking dmso orally while also taking dexamethasone? Thank you

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I do not believe so, but you will likely want to lower the dexamethasone because it will increase the potency of it.

Emma's avatar

Are you aware of any doctors that could help us with figuring out dosing? We are actually trying to wean my husband off the dexamethasone and hoping the dmso could essentially replace it but could really use some help figuring this out. Thanks!

Jamie's avatar

I believe AMD has links in one of the past articles for functional/integrative med doctors. I asked a similar question before I realized I had missed the link. AMD said that she/he cannot say which ones use dmso, and she/he recommends going to one that has an open mind and is willing to try it after being presented with all the research.

Emma's avatar

Hi James. Do you by chance know which article you saw this info? I’ve looked in several and so far have not found it. Thanks

Emma's avatar

Ok thanks so much! I definitely missed the link also. Will try to find it.

Emma's avatar

Thank you so much for the reply!

Jamie's avatar

I have been successfully treating an elbow growth on a Doberman that was about to ulcerate when it was first brought to my attention. I’ve been using DMSO mixed with CBD/CBDA oil. The vet had surgically removed it in the past, resulting in MRSA and thousands of dollars.

Jamie's avatar

I always start with 99.9% dmso, simply because I can dilute it myself. In this case I used a drop of that mixed with a drop of CBD oil directly on the elbow. First clean the area and wait at least 20 min before letting the dog outside in case of pesticide exposure.

OneDayAtATime's avatar

When you mix the DMSO with the CBD oil, are you mixing in pure DMSO? What ratio of DMSO to oil are you using?

Becky Bartz's avatar

I missed the research on DMSO and Raynauds?

Becky Bartz's avatar

Thank you. Do you recommend 1 tsp orally for this?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

There's a case for both orally and topically. I'd start with topical at the affected areas, and then to the areas that feed them.

Jamie's avatar

You are so absolutely patient with your readers. This quality is commendable.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I like helping people and I view it as my fault if I get the same question multiple times (as that means I did not explain it effectively and need to revise it in future posts). I just wish I had more time to reply to people.

Jamie's avatar

I think you provide most of the information to your readers.

Honestly, it is simply a lot in one post and sometimes difficult to find if and where you stated specific information.

If everyone had access to a search feature for key words, we’d find these answers. You are very thorough.

Example: the links to doctors that may be open to using alternative treatments. I asked you about this and then as I listened to the article later I realized I had missed it. I also did this with the one on emotional coding because I wasn’t specifically looking for that.

I was actually going to apologize for the inconvenience due to my negligence to find the info!!!

BW's avatar

If Substack had a search function it would be a game changer. Readers could search words/topics and quickly find content.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

go to google and add Site:midwesterndoctor.com to your search query!

Tim Cincotta's avatar

Thank you for the reminder! I was just talking about that to my wife literally a minute ago. 😁

Eric's avatar

Is there any risk to using DMSO (especially systemically) if one has internal plastic-containing implants? I have two prosthetic knees, three spinal fusions with spacers, and two Vivity cataract lens replacements. At least the knee implants include plastic components. Regarding the intraocular lenses, my concern would be either releasing toxic components or reducing the visual clarity.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I do not believe so as we've never run into it, but I can't say with certainty and I do not know of any definitive tests that have been done to assess it. The main advice I give is to not directly apply DMSO to areas where DMSO is, and if in doubt to look up the material of the implant's solubility in DMSO.

Außengeländer's avatar

What about silicone implants?

Any info about that?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I don't know but my best guess is that it's fine as long as you don't apply it topically in the region.

Jason M's avatar

"no systemic reactions occurred except for one patient who felt “jittery,” after use over a large area,"

I feel jittery when I am deficient in molybdenum and do something to tax molybdenum status like eat lots of protein or consume caffeine. Molybdenum is used to metabolize protein, caffeine and sulfite among other things. I don't know how DMSO is metabolized in the body, but if the process uses molybdenum, then taking a bit of molybdenum may get rid of the jittery feeling.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Some people think a molybdenum deficiency causes people to be sensitive to DMSO.

Jamie's avatar

I wonder if this would help with the smelly side effect??? I’m going to look into it, unless someone comments!

Scattergood Baines's avatar

With the many, many conditions and diseases listed, could oral DMSO be used as a prophylaxis? Once/week? 7 days/wk? One tsp? My philosophy to my children for IVM since Covid once a week as a prophylactic is, “If it doesn’t kill you, why not?”🤷🏻‍♂️

For about 30 days, I used 99% topically just to see if there was any reactions (a little itching for 5 minutes which I’ve found usually goes away with the swipe of my hand (no scratching)). I don’t really have any need for it topically, though.

For a week, I’ve been drinking ~ 7.5ml in milk followed by a small orange or a couple of grapes.

Haven’t had any aftertaste whatsoever. No garlic smell. Nothing.

I bought a 10ml glass eye dropper (2tsp) from Amazon.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Truthfully, I don't know and I'm trying very hard to avoid claiming things I can't back up with some type of evidence.

Scattergood Baines's avatar

“If it doesn’t kill you, why not?”🤷🏻‍♂️

Lucia Sinatra's avatar

I am able to use 99% DMSO on my body and on my face. Because of the high concentration that I can tolerate, I use it on my knees 3x per week to help with aches and pains from running, I use it on my forearms 3x per week after applying topical magnesium as I am unable to absorb magnesium into my cells any other way and I believe my insufficient magnesium caused me to have Afib at 50 years old (plus pushing my endurance athletic boundaries when I am fast twitch muscle athlete). I use it on my face 3x per week after I apply topical glutathione to help my somewhat poor live detox abilities. I have a source from Australia, and the product is highly effective. I recommend it without reservation. Let me know if you'd like me to share it.

My 22 year old son began experiencing extreme hair loss at 18 years old (maybe even younger). He has already had a hair transplant. I need to get him off oral finasteride. I am eager for him to try DMSO over his compounded topical finasteride/minoxidil topical drops. Do you have finasteride toxicity studies that I can share with his doctor who thinks the side effects of this drug have been misinterpreted?

Thank you so much!

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I have not compiled those yet.

Darlene Lessing's avatar

I will find out if I have a hiatal hernia tomorrow. Can dmso help?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

No. The only treatments I know that can help there is some type of visceral body work that brings everything back to the correct place.

paws's avatar

AMD I inadvertently reupped my monthly sub to $240 ‘Founding member’ yday 12/1 when meant it to be the $80 Annual sub, contacted Wells Fargo immediately, may or may not be enough, they also advise contacting you or substack. Your email acknowledging my payment is a no-reply one tho I tried to send anyway from mine of ‘’ papa644 ..proton....’’ If you saw it or see this and can advise how to reach Substack if that would put the burden on them instead of you I’d appreciate, have not been able to reach their support.. My mistake of course, but the default monthly sub upgrade before had been to Annual, I did not notice substack had changed it to Founding. My apology.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

if they can't figure it out please let me know

Janet's avatar

They have a chat line I’ve had success with in getting mistakes corrected. Google “substack chat”. You may have to have the good doctor intervene however.

Mary L.'s avatar

I started putting and drop or two in my Zeta Aid but I still have fear about using it in larger doses. Anyone willing to share how they started? Topical or internally.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Better not to mix them together and consume separately.

J. Harris's avatar

Mary, I started topically 70% DMSO w/aloe fillet I diluted myself. I did this for about 2 weeks before adding oral. I started oral with 1/4 tsp in aloe fillet and spring water as 1 tsp was too much (herx response). Now, after 2 months, I’m up to 1 tsp a day 2 or 3 times per week in addition to topical being applied to areas of pain. I have multiple chronic areas of pain.

Mary L.'s avatar

Thank you J. Harris and AMD for your replies!

Emma Dixon's avatar

Hello Doctor, did you see in your research how to use DMSO for genital herpes?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Yes. I mentioned some of it here and the rest will be in the next one about infections.

Emma Dixon's avatar

Thank you! so grateful to you for your dedication and hard work.

BethanyAnne's avatar

I just rubbed a little on the affected area, and it just dried up and went away. Still scabbed, but not like those big nasty ones you get when you break the blisters. Itch went away almost immediately. I use it full strength though, that doesn't work for everybody. I suspect it may work better if you can get some DMSO on the affected area before the blisters start forming.

Emma Dixon's avatar

was it burning at all? My skin is sensitive to it. I have 70% gel and liquid and wonder if I need to dissolve it.

BethanyAnne's avatar

Didn't burn me at all, but I'm not all that sensitive to it. But the outbreak was on the outer skin of my glutes, not on the mucus membranes. I don't know if I'm sensitive to it on the mucus membranes or not.

Emma Dixon's avatar

Thank you for the information. I will try to mix it with water to make it less strong while getting used to it.

Randy's avatar

A question I have not been able to resolve is the addition of aloe to DMSO gels. Aloe is good for topical application on scrapes and sunburns, but do we really want aloe carried into the tissue and bloodstream? I use 100% gel on myself and 70% on my wife, who complains that the 100% product “feels like a colony of ants is creating a nest under my skin,” but I always choose the gel without aloe.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

It rarely causes issues for people, but I personally prefer using pure liquid.

JC's avatar

I have ingested pure aloe powder for years to aid in digestion. Bowel really likes it.

Additionally, (and I'm talking a bit out of my expertise here) there is a Costa Rican aloe powder called Ambrotose (sp?), which contains all the essential polysaccharides (again - terms may not be correct) to complete our mitochondrial firing. I'll be looking into this in the new year, might switch over to this product instead of the organic Australian aloe I've been ingesting. (bummer, I know the guy who grows & refines this aloe, and local products are always a winner - but I'm intrigued by the complete sugars in Ambrotose.)

I've seen warnings throughout the years about ingesting aloe and connections with - cancers? - but I'm beginning to take FDA warnings with grain of salt.

Libby R's avatar

Also, I see an DMSO + MSM product on Jacobs Lab’s site. What does is the MSM’s role and should I keep this on hand as well?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

MSM does some but not all of what DMSO does.

TAS's avatar

I follow your substack closely MWD, especially for the DMSO articles. I hope and pray some day you can come out and take a bow for all the education youre providing for so many. Im sorry to change the subject to another product Ive used thru the years, but when I saw the dermatologist comment about warts, I wanted to respond to him direct under what he wrote. Unfortunately it wouldn't allow me to do so for some odd reason. Hope he sees this:

I had to respond when I saw you mentioned planters wart. I’ve use Colloidal silver for many years for many reasons. One day I thought, what the heck, why not try it on my warts. So I did. Applied it generously on and around the warts, then soaked a cotton ball with the cs and applied a bandage over them and went to bed. In the morning the warts definitely looked different but not gone. I did this for 3 nights in a row and wallah! the warts dried up. They looked like patches of dry skin and I continued applying the cs with a qtip during the day until they were completely gone. Never came back.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Thank you, appreciate it! That said, I don't want fame or accolades. I am viewing this SS as a task I need to get done to help the world and what's it's done I'd like to move onto the next project I feel is important rather than getting wrapped into the position this has created.

Carla's avatar

Hello TAS, can you please tell me where to get colloidal silver to use in this manner? Thank you.

TAS's avatar

I purchase colloidal silver on amazon. I prefer the silver holistic brand 10ppm.

Lloyd Chambers's avatar

My female family members cannot stand the smell of DMSO and tell me to get away or go outside. They make this claim even a day or two after application. I'm not sure it is wise to use the stuff and go out into public! And looking for a date might be a very low hit rate!

I wonder if MSM (oxidized version of DMSO) might have similar benefits. What would one be missing by using MSM instead, besides the provoking odor?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

1) MSM has benefits but not as many and some people take it for that reason.

2) You can use breath mints if odor is just through mouth.

3) As your body reduces its reductive stress and becomes more able to oxidize, odor goes away.

4) You can take DMSO with MMS/CDS to increase oxidation as well.

Roxanne's avatar

I either have extremely polite friends, or I'm not getting the odor. My roommate is of no help, because she is also an AMD reader, and DMSO user. Apparently, we are stuck with each other if no one else can stand us.

BethanyAnne's avatar

Hubs and I haven't noticed a smell, just upon initial application, and then it fades. Maybe our sniffers just aren't that sensitive.

Janet's avatar

I use 100% and 70% plus drink 1 1/2 teaspoons twice a day. I don’t smell anything and husband has not complained.

JC's avatar

I take, hubs doesn't. He objects the most when I mix it with methyl salicylate, as that makes him nauseous. That's topical.

But when I ingest, he says I smell rotten, like rotten vegetables.

Roxanne's avatar

Methyl salicylate - that's wintergreen, right?

JC's avatar

Yes, menthol, spearmint, wintergreen - active ingredient in most topical pain products. Drives him over the edge, to the point where he has to leave the house or I do.

He'll take garlic or sulfur any day over menthol. But rotting vegetables....

Roxanne's avatar

It's a bit harsh. :o) I hope you guys can work this out!

Roxanne's avatar

Aw! I guess that's better than you not knowing. I'm not ingesting yet - that could be the difference.

Allan katz's avatar

Same with wife, jocked that she could work as a dog who smells hidden drugs

Carol B's avatar

Thanks doc for all your great info.

Looking forward to your reports on Vitamin C?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

That will be a while because many others have already written about it, and I'm trying to prioritize important topics no one else is covering.

Carla's avatar

If using it regularly on face and neck, will dmso eventually thin the skin?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

No one has reported that; it's an issue with steroids not DMSO.

Carla's avatar

I’m just wondering because someone mentioned this possibility in the comments after one of the other dmso articles. Thank you so much for all the great info! I’ve been using it on my neck with some good relief from neck pain.

A Michael's avatar

I've been using DSMO for over 2 months now and have not noticed much of anything unfortunately. No improvement in my optic nerve and no improvement for my vitiligo. Hopefully with more time I'll see some improvement in one or both. Using orally and topically and at full strength, every day.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Around 20% of users do not experience any noticeable benefit from DMSO. My guess would be you fall into that category or the DMSO you are getting isn't DMSO.

Satan's Doorknob's avatar

The latter case is easy to test, assuming he bought 100% (or nearly so) DMSO...put a small amount into a container and leave in fridge. If it freezes (< 63 degrees F) it's probably the real stuff.

Roxanne's avatar

May I ask, do you get characteristic burning or itching? And, for your optic nerve, are you taking it internally? I'm assuming you're not using 100% topically in your eyes?

James Patton's avatar

Is there anyway to mitigate the smell. My wife can always tell when I use DMSO. I can not smell it at all but she says my breath is terrible. I started taking activated charcoal but she can still smell it. Any suggestions? Thanks.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Will discuss later in the series.

J. Harris's avatar

James, hang in there, it’s worth “the smell”! I too have been told about by “odor”. I don’t smell it except in my urine and sometimes my sweat.

Frank Lee's avatar

Maybe because my background is business writing I am frustrated with this article that "DMSO" is repeated over and over again without any definition.

What the heck is "DMSO"?

Is the audience only those with a medical degree or experts in homeopathic treatments?

I stopped reading out of frustration as I was several paragraphs into the piece... very interested and intrigued, but failing to find any definition. I had to go to Google to discover that it is Dimethyl Sulfoxide.

What I would have preferred is an opening paragraph that explains what it is, its history... the opposition to it. And then make the case for why we would be supportive of it.

Note that I have a bunch of skin and other issues that are a result of my diagnosed blood disorder and treatments. DSMO is news to me and I want to know more about it.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

"The therapy I decided to focus on, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO),"

Frank Lee's avatar

I passed right over that. I guess I am complaining about being uninformed about it and needing some upfront education.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

The basic issue is jsut that I don't want to make these too long, so I try to skip everything that isn't necessary (e.g., repeatedly defining DMSO).

Mouzer's avatar

There are several articles in this series on the doctor's substack with the information you seek. I suggest you find them, CNTRL+P, which will enable you to download and save them as PDFs to your computer and put them in a special folder for easy reference.

VICTORIASPANGLER6591's avatar

It has been mentioned prior to this many times in previous articles of his. It was also mentioned somewhere in the middle of this one probably after your frustration took over.

Carol B's avatar

Search for his initial article. He discusses the history.

Beverley Phillips's avatar

I would love to hear from anyone who has used DMSO for bags under eyes, how much, how often, results? Thanks!

Rowan's avatar

Is drinking DMSO in aloe vera juice for general health advised? My only diagnosed conditions are Vitiligo and fluid retention, although I'd like to see what the skin and hair protocols could do.

My question is, can the one mode of consumption resolve various issues , or does one have to get specific with the combinations and the how?

Thank you

Rowan's avatar

Considering the prevalence of toxic chemicals and nanoparticles in water—which are extremely difficult to remove—how can we safely prepare skin tonics such as the following:

Example formulation:

A spray designed to improve skin tone and vitality, composed of 5 parts 100% DMSO, 3 parts 12% MgCl₂, and 2 parts 21% D-lactic acid.

For certain pigment disorders, the MgCl₂ concentration may be increased (e.g., 3 parts DMSO, 6 parts MgCl₂, and 1 part lactic acid).

However, even purified water is likely to contain glyphosate and other industrial pollutants. Given that very few people have access to truly pure water—and that even distilled water can retain nanoscale particles and residues that may become concentrated—how can these blends be mixed safely?

Mark Aaron's avatar

I'm sure this has been covered somewhere, but I would like to know if anyone has "fixed" the smell of DMSO. It doesn't bug me but my daughter with acne doesn't want to use it due to the smell. I have mixed it with aloe vera gel which helped but still not great.

Janet's avatar

How would I use DMSO for hair loss. Treat it like skin treatments? Massage a solution of liquid DMSO into the scalp every time I wash it? Or on wet hair without using shampoos? I use a Dr Bronners mild soap for shampoo. 50% first? ( I have been using 99% on other parts of my body with no problem.) I believe a bout with severe anemia back in the spring, which was resolved over the summer, caused this. Thank you.

Mary Louise Travis's avatar

How best to use DMSO to treat a very swollen split bottom lip from a car accident. It currently has dissolvable stitches.

april's avatar

I have 70% DMSO and distilled water solution that I would like to make into a gel to work on a new sebhorreic keratosis that I just noticed (I am prone to them) below my collarbone. I'd like to create a gel from the 70% DMSO - any ideas? I think someone mentioned vegetable glycerin, which I could try, but if anyone has experience making a DIY gel I would appreciate it!

Saso Lazov's avatar

I've had a chest problem since 2016.

Due to the "advanced" medicine in my home country of Macedonia and my weight at the time, no doctor took an X-ray, let alone a CT scan.

In the end, I got an X-ray on my own, and the result was emphysema. Officially, I was told there’s no help for me, so I started looking into unofficial options to see what’s out there.

I engaged GROK from X, and it started finding some things.

To keep it short, I’ll write what I’ve been using with no effect—maybe I’m not dosing correctly.

If anyone wants to help, please do, because I’m at the end of my rope. I nebulize 3 ml of DMSO (50/50 ratio) twice a day.

I nebulize 1 ml of liposomal glutathione (containing 55 mg glutathione) twice a day.

I nebulize 15-20 drops of propolis once a day.

And sometimes I nebulize 3% hydrogen peroxide diluted in a 2 ml hydrogen to 10 ml water ratio.

Nicky's avatar

Can you comment on 'Disastrous DMSO' article by Medicine girl on substack?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

She keeps posting that to get traffic. It's highly inaccurate, but each time we try to explain (along with dozens of readers who have tried as well) the specific points, she says we are brainwashed by the medical field and don't understand what we are talking about since anything else cost her views and refuses to correct anything (along with telling everyone who says DMSO helped them a lot and had no side effect that their experience, for one reason or another, doesn't count).

Her brand essentially is saying commonly used natural therapies are actually toxic and you need to just do detoxs and elimination diets, so she's written fairly absurd criticisms of many different therapies a lot of people use with great benefit. When I looked at her arguments in the DMSO piece, I realized that she was juxtaposing common issues with other pharmaceuticals onto DMSO (which is a common thing people do, as due to it being hard to fully understand a subject, they always juxtapose their pre-existing knowledge base onto it).

Regarding the deaths, the points she's omitting is that in all but one of them, another product was involved, as on FAERS if someone has a lethal reaction to a drug, they list all the other things they were taking as well, and in those cases, it was more likely culprit of death, and in many cases, they were being given intravenously (where a higher risk of death, particularly the onyx cases where the DMSO polymer mixture was being used to patch an otherwise fatal internal bleed and hence was a high risk situation). When I wrote the safety article, amongst other things I read through all the FAERS reports and explained them, no one else has done that. Conversely, most medications have thousands of deaths in FAERS, many of which can be directly attributed to the drug. The fact that over roughly 40 years 21 deaths are in there almost none of which can be attributed to DMSO is an insane safety profile. The primary drug DMSO replaces (NSAIDS like ibuprofen) are well recognized to kill hundreds of people each day, and their toxicity is rarely discussed.

In short read these two article, critically compare them to hers and then make your own decision:

https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/the-remarkable-history-and-safety

https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/the-fdas-war-against-dmso-and-america

And if you have any remaining doubts, read her other pieces, particularly those discussing natural therapies you have used with success.

Nicky's avatar

Many many thanks for your detailed reply.

Looking forward to your next posts and I really appreciate the level of detail and time you spend on them. Kindest Regards

Letitia Snook's avatar

Please provide details on keeping DMSO on hand in case of stroke and how to administer. Thank you so much.

Lolix's avatar

Hi,

French wikipedia article on DMSO is playing FUD (Fear, Uncertain, Doubt) and link this one :

https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1096/fj.13-235440

Any debunk of that ?

Bill's avatar

What about DMSO and sarcoidosis skin issues? Anyone have any success with it ?

Lolix's avatar

Hi, prior to Midwestern Doctor posts on X, I never heard about DMSO here in France. Neither in the official pharma products nor in the so-called Alternative cures.

DMSO is doing great on my itchy back skin, together with regular "moisturizing" cream (50% DMSO - 50% cream) I change cream here and then.

Thanks for all the sourced information you're giving here.

If giving advice for DMSO to friends and family, they will most certainly read french's Wikipedia's DMSO entry, which is of course playing FUD ( Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt), especially with that publication :

https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1096/fj.13-235440

"..Toxicity was confirmed in vitro in a retinal neuronal cell line, at DMSO concentrations >1% (v/v)..."

Is there a debunk of that ?

Sue's avatar

Dows anybody have experience with treating perioral dermatitis with DMSO?

peggy bean's avatar

I use liquid dmso and topical too. 5 days a week. is that ok?

Lisa's avatar

Can you explain how to achieve 30% concentration for the starter dose? If I buy, for example, the DMSO store’s gel?

Thank you for this!

Susie Arnett's avatar

I had to share - I got a really bad burn on my finger cooking a couple of days ago. I didn’t have my hand fully covered by the dish cloth when I grabbed the cast-iron pan that was in the 450° oven and really burned my thumb. It was incredibly painful. I went straight to the bathroom and I put some DMSO on it right away and within an hour maybe less the pain was gone. I kept putting DMSO on every few hours for a couple days and it’s pretty much completely fine now. There’s still a little bit of discoloration on the skin, but there hasn’t been any pain and it’s healing really nicely. Thank you for all your work! If it wasn’t for you, I never would’ve known about DMSO.

Gabby's avatar

Thank you for your intensive research on the uses of DMSO. I have used the DMSO gel to significantly decrease the pain associated with OA in my knee after exercise, itchy eczema flare ups (although still working on the cause due to never having eczema as a kid) and spot treating occasional acne spots on my face. My need for ibuprofen and/or triamcinolone cream is all but gone!!!

sue's avatar

Couldn't find much on itchy scalp, dandruff, psoriasis, etc. so thought I'd post. 3-4 months ago I suddenly, for the first time ever, got a super itchy scalp. My doctor told me to use prescription 2% ketokonazole shampoo which I've been doing. But it never really gets better and in fact like many pharmaceuticals, it seemed to work at the beginning but then stopped and instead seems like the more I use it the worse it gets. The only relief I got was from steroid cream, but that's hard to get on the scalp with all my hair. So yesterday I instead washed with an organic tea tree and peppermint shampoo, with DMSO mixed in. And I started using a dropper to put DMSO right on my scalp. Immediately the itching calmed down, but a few hours later it started again. Maybe I should have been patient but instead I added silver and kept applying with the dropper to any spots that itch. The DMSO/silver combo really worked, and stuck. Today it barely itches, and when it does a simple scratch takes care of it, I don't go into a scratching cycle that ends in a raw sore. It's only been 24 hours so I'll update in a few days.

Robert Neugebauer's avatar

I have been using DMSO 70% mixed with 30% sodium ascorbic acid diluted in distilled water applied 5 to 6 times a day and it is clearing up my psoriasis on my face which I have been trying to clear for 2 - 3 years. I'm also taking 6 packets of LivON Lypo spheric vitamin C1,000 mg every 4 hours a day and 20 DACHA Natural Liposomal Vitamin C 850 mg per capsule a day to remove cataracts which has been working very well as the cataracts have receded and my vision has improved to 20/20 The psoriasis is also clearing after 10 days of applications. My Occultist did not seem surprised that the vitamin C was clearing the cataracts and for all I know he was well aware that they would be cleared with the high dose liposomal vitamin C at 25,000 milligrams a day. I took the high dose for 9 months to clear the cataracts.

Patti Hoke's avatar

Thank you so much for these articles on DMSO. Would oral DMSO work on varicose veins?

Yukon Dave's avatar

Science, its repeatable, predictable and observable. AND everyone can do it themselves in many cases. So one day I read up on what others have done with it on my skin and after 3 months it removed two Seborrheic keratoses with no scar.

Soon I followed it on my sore joints and not only did it take away the soreness, it healed it all together.

Then i put 4 drops or about .05% solution in an 8 ounce glass of boiled water and used a netti pot to deliver it in my sinus. Strangest thing, a polyp in my sinus is now gone without surgery. Also my allergies have mostly stopped all together.

Of course if I feel a cold coming on, I do a morning and night flush like that with DMSO and it gets me through the hard part and stops the spread

Rebeca's avatar

Can DMSO be applied topically to skin that has a tattoo? Not recently inked but a few years old.

Also can it be applied to my toddler 2.5 years (mild eczema rebounds after steroids) or baby 6months old (moderate eczema full body rebounds after steroids)

Have tried every moisturizer, wet wraps, Dead Sea salt baths, steroids, probiotics, daily baths followed my moisturizers within 3 mins, allergy testing etc. nothing has worked besides moderate high potency steroids that would be needed long term which I’m trying to avoid at all costs

KBryanK's avatar

Your DMSO articles are great and I have benefited from what I have learned from them, though I have to add that all of your articles have been useful. After reading your first DMSO articles I immediately ordered the product and used it for a variety of small issues. So far, great, except for one very important thing - my body odor. I'm still trying to determine what determines when I have the odor and when I don't. Oral intake definitely appears to be the worst. Any insight on how to manage this? People near me say it smells strongly of rotting meat....

KBryanK's avatar

Sorry to add this - it appears others have already brought this up in comments which I somehow missed....

LD's avatar

I’ve been reading the posts and comments and I could spend days just reading. Is there a book or post that goes more in depth about hair loss and dmso? The comments are helpful but it’s a lot of info to digest. I’m trying to understand if it can be applied topically or ingested. I have a 17 year old son whose hair is thinning on top and hairline receding and I’m wondering if dmso would help.

Alane's avatar

So is DMSO safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding? You mentioned mastitis but there's no info on safety for the baby.

I'm currently pregnant and have a bartholin cyst. I was considering using DMSO on it but I'm too afraid it will hurt the baby without any guidance or information to go off of.

Lillian Newcomb's avatar

I am immensely grateful to you for all your hard work bringing to us the benefits of DMSO and how to use it. I have been using DMSO full strength through a dropper for an extremely painful sensitive tooth. One or two drops on the tooth and almost immediately I am pain free. I then swish what is left through my mouth and swallow. No problems whatsoever and now I am trying the DMSO protocol for aging skin. Today is my first day and thus far no reactions other than a little tingling. You also must know my neuropathy in my legs and feet due to diabetes is nearly gone after just a couple weeks of application. Thank you, thank you, thank you and I thank God, literally, every day for leading me to you. More updates later as they come, good or bad.

Kathryn A Gagne's avatar

My sister has high blood pressure and wants to try DSMO. Does DMSO increase blood pressure?

Musetta's avatar

Could you possibly give your opinion on clorine dioxide perhaps vs dmso?

Old_Mainer's avatar

After chemo gone haywire in 2015 I developed dense capillaritis (also called pigmented purpuric dermatosis) on both shins. Now that I have had several months of DMSO at 1 tablespoon per day, the color has faded by at least 50%. Amazing!!

Beth's avatar

Have anyone tried it to treat Xanthelasma? And if so was it successful?

Cindyeo's avatar

I’ve been using 50% and 75% sprays (made myself with distilled water) on cuts and varicose veins with really no noticeable help. Got a burn while cooking last night on my finger, tried spraying the 75% and it didn’t relieve the pain so after 10 min I put some 99% right out of the bottle on a cotton ball and (stupidly) taped that cotton ball to my finger. An hour later when I took it off the entire area that was touching it now has little bubbles and hurts. This is a larger area than where the original burn blister was. Would I dare spray the 75% on it now to try to heal it? Or leave it alone now? It’s now about 12 hours since I took cotton ball off (overnight) and it still is sore, more sore in areas that were not burned. It’s maybe better described as severe wrinkles than bubbles

Jason's avatar

Does DMSO have any DDI’s to be aware of, my moms had this condition now for a year and it’s terribly itchy/open sores all over her legs and arms etc.

She’s on heart meds/high blood pressure - my question is, do I have her apply it to the open sores or maybe try orally first? Thanks

Jason's avatar

After a year of seeing a specialist/ dermatologist, my moms still itching and full of sores from head to toe - she’s 70+ so she’s on other meds - a recent prescription with some ointments helped barely - I’m going to order the DMSO for her but I do t want to exacerbate her already unbearable/insidious symptoms, should I just get her to try it orally? She’s on a pill pack for heart/blood pressure are my concerns?

Shel's avatar

It has helped me to heal some long term skin adhesions that wouldn't heal. I'd try to get it healed and then hair would tear my skin up sometimes course and white, but sometimes super fine hair and it just tears my skin up. DMSO does make the skin dry and flaky so I alternate in heavy lotion. I have used it on my back but haven't noticed any pain relief from that. I'm pretty much in pain all of the time and it is just a matter of degrees and what I can do today or what might cause a bigger problem so maybe it should be put off. I have been using it on my elbow on what I believe is a psorias flare up but it hasn't really helped that so I have been using the tar shampoo, but it has been really slow going trying to get that cleared up. I have been trying to use it other places to see if it helps with swelling and inflammation, I've also taken small amounts orally now to see if it helps with weight loss as nothing else has. I've also been trying to increase my gut bacteria and biome health with probiotics, prebiotics and miso. Mostly I'm just tired all the time.

Stephanie Maricich's avatar

Help, please. Any special tips to use on swollen lower legs and puffy feet, due to terrible edema/lymphedema. They itch and burn. Now also small open sores/ulcers, with raised bumps and redness ie dermatitis/cellulitis. What form of DMSO and what dosage at what concentration: liquid, spray, gel to use?

Quite desperate for help. So willing to pay for this advice! Or suggestions for other practitioners nearby.

I live in rural Washington state, an hour from Seattle.

stephaniemaricich@gmail.com

Rosie Langridge's avatar

I've read everything and nobody has yet mentioned splinters.

I've had dozens emerge from my fingers and a few from my feet. Also ingrained dirt has rubbed out of creases and 2 of the joints.

On my heal a small blob of dry blood emerged and I had to ask a podiatrist to get it out along with a minute splinter.

Some come out entirely spontaneously so I'm not sure just how many there have been. Larger ones, which are mostly from roses, need to be scratched out. Often a sense of relief and release comes too, probably the most reliable signal that the entire piece is out.

70% DMSO directly onto hands and feet is more powerful than 30%. I will try 90% next. By mouth seems to stimulate them to come out of the finger pads.

Years ago a doctor told me that the finger pad sensitivity and pain was Reynolds, which I found hard to believe.

Enough have emerged to make holding a pencil less painful. Hoping to be able to sew again without pain but getting impatient now. Started to happen late January. Most are painful as they emerge.

Have done much gardening during my life. Have had very dry skin at times and have not taken care to wash properly at the end of a gardening session. Will do in future.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

This is really interesting, thank you for sharing

Rosie Langridge's avatar

Yes indeed! I'm still using DMSO almost daily on hands and feet. As far as I can tell, all the splinters are now out of my feet (they caused curious yellowy coloured puffy areas), but there's still nerve damage in them from persistent cold and crushed feet as a child (ill fitting shoes, and cold houses, and wet feet from shifting from one classroom to another).

Meanwhile only yesterday several more bits of wood came out of my hands, plausibly from 5 decades ago. I'm finding the splinters on the inner surface of the joints, while the swelling and pain is on the top and sides of the joints.

Rosie Langridge's avatar

Can anyone tell me about unwanted hair? I don't use DMSO on my face or neck because of this concern, even though I have various issues in region.

Rosie Langridge's avatar

I find DMSO brilliant for bites wounds. I start with 30% diluted with distilled water, and if the wound stays inflamed (only once) increase to 70%.

Both puncture and more superficial wounds weep puss without DMSO, sometimes for weeks.

Paul E's avatar

I have a rare skin condition called Epidermolysis Bullosa (specifically RDEB), which complicates my wound healing. I've been dealing with hypergranulation on the lower forearm of an amputated arm that also underwent a slight revision amputation.

My dermatologist has suggested using a topical steroid, but despite this, the growth is still getting larger, and it's not only causing physical pain but has been making me feel quite grouchy as well. I'm wondering if anyone has experience or insights on using DMSO to reduce hypergranulation growth. How should I approach this? Given my condition, I'm looking for any advice on whether DMSO could be beneficial or if there are precautions I should take. Thanks for any guidance.

Mvqozbq's avatar

I diluted 2 drops of 99% DMSO in 20 drops of purified water and then put just one drop of this 10 % solution on the inside of my forearm. First it itched then the spot become red.Two hours later the redness was gone, but is it my imaganition or not I felt my lips tingling a bit. Would this mean I'm one of the unlucky allergic persons ? Should I try again ?

Rosie Langridge's avatar

My lips tingled for the first two weeks. I'm not allergic or sensitive to it. Another article explains the metabolic pathways that results in lip tingling

Mvqozbq's avatar

Thanx for sharing. So your skin has no reaction at all when applied ?

Rosie Langridge's avatar

No immediate reaction, no. I was pretty nervous when I first started to use DMSO. So it's best to start with using a small amount at a low concentration, then gradually build up if you are fine with small amounts.

However I have one other tip. Get an earthing mat and get used to using that first, and then add the DMSO

Janet Westendorf's avatar

Anyone use DMSO on shingles

Steve Parry's avatar

Hi AMD & Community! I just became a subscriber and very much appreciate the massive amount of information you've collected and shared regarding DMSO. I have a quick question: 1) Do you know if it's normal for a second application of 50% DMSO gel (I diluted 70% with organic aloe vera gel) when applied over an earlier application to cause a lot more itching/stinging? I'm thinking I should have washed the areas first before re-applying. Thoughts?

Webber Douglas's avatar

My wife has Alzheimer’s and we have been using Bredesen’s program for two years now. It seems we may have arrested the decline but certainly have not reversed it. A bit discouraging to say the least. Is there a DMSO protocol for this terrible disease?

JS's avatar

A couple of days ago, a skin tag that I had on my arm for more than 2 years fell off. I had no idea what caused it to fall off. It occurred to me about a day later that the DMSO I had been applying to my arms once a day was likely the reason!!!! Amazing!!

RemainAtTheManger's avatar

Can you apply DMSO and chlorine dioxide at the same time?

MtGrammy's avatar

I've tried to read all A Midwestern Doctor's articles on DMSO. Even ordered book, Healing With DMSO by Vollmer. Looking for application info for Tinnitis and Hair Loss. Any recommendations how to dilute and apply properly?

MtGrammy's avatar

Hair Growth: Vollmer shows 50% DMSO, 20% preservative-free Aloe Vera Gel Juice, 30% Distilled Water, 6 drops Rosemary EO, 4 drops Peppermint EO.

Can only find preservative-free Aloe Vera Gel Juice that has either lemon or Orange concentrate added.

Tinnitis: Vollmer shows Drops of 10% DMSO with 90% Collodial Silver.

Do you have suggestion not using the silver?

Molly's avatar

Thank you. AMD for sharing info on DMSO. I have been using it externally with great success but am leary of using internally based on seeing that some people can’t handle the side effects. So far, I only have read about potential headaches, but what other side effects do people have? Just wondering if I need to ‘stay home’ for a few days when starting to take orally? Thanks for any info you can share.

Raymond Smith's avatar

Hello Doc! This whole DMSO series is fascinating to me. I’ve had psoriatic arthritis for about 20 years. I just started using a 70/30 gel. I’m testing it on the psoriasis on my right elbow. I am also using it on a scar on my femur from broken bone surgery several months ago. Is it possible that the DMSO could also ward off infection of the bone, which happened previously? Thank you for all you do.

Jade Mader's avatar

My 2 year old daughter suffers from eczema. We have seen an allergist and been treating with topical steroids, but this only helps for a short period and then flares up again.

Any suggestions for possibly treating with DMSO and what percentage to use? Any other suggestions welcome.

Jade Mader's avatar

Hi Raymond, thanks very much for the advice. I will definitely do that.

Raymond Smith's avatar

Hi Jade, I’m no help with the eczema, but I’ve just started using a 70–30 DMSO gel, and I can tell you that it does sting for a good minute or so. I’d suggest you dab some on

yourself before putting it on your two-year-old so you’ll know what it’s like.

Annie Mc's avatar

Hi MWD, Thank you again for another astonishing article!

Rebekah Rada's avatar

I live with chronic pain and started to take DMSO orally after reading your article and then reading a book about it. On the second or third day, my husband and patients (I’m a nurse) found me repulsive to be around due to the strong and offensive odor emanating from me. Described as rotten onions- durian fruit- iron…I think it may have been helping with my chronic pain, but I can’t take it and continue to work in a professional setting or have a social life-so the dilemma. I immediately discontinued it. This wonder drug has a huge Achilles heel. Any advice for that? Thanks.

Elaine Taylor's avatar

I had read Dr Merc on dmso some time ago, and other references to it eons ago, and recently bought some because of skin "flatwarts" or such, but when I read that it helped the body produce fibrin, I didn't use it, since I am taking serrapeptase and nattokinase (fibrinolytic), (as suggested by flccc), irregularly, to reduce suspected fibrin build-up in blood (system) after lengthy, nasty hospital protocols for a near-death experience with covid. (no 'vax' - got shed on)) Maybe someone can reassure me that DMSO wouldn't also increase fibrin in the bloodstream while helping a skin issue. I've just subscribed but don't have a lot of time to pour thru all the comments and articles that might explain my dilemma. Thanks!

SG_observer's avatar

Should be fine. My whole family is on daily natto/serra., with double dose 2X a week to ward off extra shedding. Been using DMSO for a variety of purposes and testing it for ourselves. The key to understanding N/S is that unless other enzymes, if you can get more into your system, then more healing occurs. But there doesn't seem to be any overdose level.... unlike bromelain, papain etc. I believe N/S helps with the zero potential too... got an uncle with 2 strokes walking briskly again using N/S.

Madara Collins's avatar

I just learned about the incredible benefits of using DMSO. Would it be recommend to talk to a holistic practitioner before starting to use? I am specifically looking to decrease or hopefully eliminate tinnitus.

VICTORIASPANGLER6591's avatar

Thank you again and again and yeah really really thank you.

SLogin's avatar

Could DMSO be safely applied over tattooed skin?

Alice's avatar

I have read that you should NOT apply over tattoos. DMSO will drive the ink deep into your tissues.

Chris's avatar

You may have said this already but can the dmso gel be applied to your scalp if you have color treated hair?

Arabella's avatar

He has answered twice not to do this. You can search "hair" in these comments to find it.

LD's avatar

Can you tell me how to search comments?

Faith&FitnessMama's avatar

The roller bottles I use for essential oils work great for topical application of DMSO!

Mendel G's avatar

After giving my two year old with DS 1ml of dmso (diluted with juice) her skin seems a bit of a yellowish color, is that normal?

Karen Papa's avatar

Do you have a section on how to take DMSO orally, how to apply topically, how long, how frequently? After joining your substack and reading about all the uses for DMSO, we just bought a bottle of DMSO from the DMSO store and some distilled water. We weren’t sure how to use it, couldn’t find it here, so searched and found this, duck://player/ehaTpcs92aA, which we followed, applied it to my husband's arthritic knuckles and washed it off after 30 minutes. Now we’re wondering how frequently to apply it. Thanks in advance!

Ronald Land's avatar

Thanks for your great articles Doc. I have read most all the comments in all of your articles, but I haven't seen anyone ask or comment on a problem I have with a hydrocele. Do you think dmso would help a hydrocele? It's a very sensitive area so I'm a little hesitant of trying it there. Maybe a very diluted 20% solution? Also, what about it helping an enlarged prostate?

Ann's avatar

We are so excited to read your DMSO articles and are stocking DMSO in our medicine cabinet.

We purchased a book written by Amandah Vollmer a while back that caused us to put the brakes on a bit when we read about DMSO's interaction with alcohol. While we are not "drinkers" we do enjoy a glass of wine or a mixed drink here and there and so were interested in this information. The studies cited were in mice with lethal doses of alcohol and mortality rate was measured based on the timing of consumption of alcohol and administration of DMSO. Not super helpful in a practical sense but, clearly, there was an effect. We'd like to know more about that and if modest alcohol consumption is a concern and how/when to use DMSO in relation to that. I don't think I saw that addressed and sorry if we missed it. We'd love your take. As someone else has said, yours is the only substack we pay for. Great content!

Phil Spielman's avatar

What do you make of Geoff PaIn PhD (on his substack) criticism and warnings of great dangers involved with using DMSO? I have read all of your posts with great enthusiasm and thus was shocked by his alarming posts. It can't be both safe and harmful to DNA. Which is it?

Phil Spielman's avatar

Many thanks and much appreciated. On the same day when Geoff Pain PhD posted a frightening study on the dangers of using HCQ I also received an article justifying the safety and beneficial uses of HCQ. Perhaps he is a professional contrarian?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Putting out a position which is the exact opposite of what everyone else says and then being as inflammatory as possible about it is a tried and true method to drive traffic

Antonia bewley's avatar

is it dangerous to use DMSO in or around the mouth and jaw if you have old mercury fillings?

Grazyna Samborska's avatar

Off topic

Dear Midwestern Doc, I checked the titles of your posts, but didn't find anything related to allergies. My daughter is allergic to cats' The Cleveland Clinic suggests using googles and haz-mats in case of being forced to such exposure.

What is your take on this?

Christina Thiessen's avatar

Where is the article on using DMSO for shingles?

J Prill's avatar

Very much looking forward to upcoming article on DMSO and cancer. There are likely some immediate applications here, and probably also with others of your readers. Thank you very much for this series of articles. One of the two primary reasons I am supporting you!

Sigourney's avatar

I just bought some DMSO, and I noticed there are quite a few books out there on how to use it, etc. can anyone recommend one? Thanks in advance!

Felicia Rein's avatar

I put DMSO on my face, first in a very tiny spot. It tickled but was ok. When I put more on it was uncomfortably itchy or burning but tolerable. I put a fair amount on my forehead and cheeks and I had a hard time managing it. I tried a few times more in smaller amounts. The last time was the first time I looked in the mirror after application. My cheek has swelled where I’d applied it…only where it was applied and the swelling did not migrate to surrounding area. The swelling was raised and was whitish as well as redish. Hard to explain. It went back to normal in 30 or more minutes. I’m not sure if this is a bad reaction and if I should not do it again. I also don’t know if this is any indication that I should or should not take it internally. I put it in my abdomen and it was Less itchy. I need to try again in that area and observe if it swells at all.

Terri's avatar

This article does not help me to understand how to dilute my DMSO for various conditions. Is there a book that helps with understanding how to dilute DMSO for various conditions?

Terri's avatar

I bought non-diluted DMSO, but I’m not sure how to dilute it???? I have a growth on my nose that I would like to get rid of., But I don’t want to use it because I have no idea at what percentage I should be deleting the DMSO to apply to my face

Terri's avatar

Correction: “diluting”, not “deleting”

Raphael's avatar

Hi for the psoriasis condition and anything akin to tonsilis how should it be applied ?

from what you said there's a need to do compounds for psoriasis, what would be the dosages ?

and same for tonsilis + the way it should be taken ?

and can it be cumulated with the rest if you take it for tonsilis ?

Giuseppe Corvo's avatar

Can you recommend a post open heart valve replacement surgery dmso protocol for pain management and wound care?

E S's avatar

A few things. This has helped with a slowly healing ankle sprain. It was mostly good, but I would get pain and restricted movement on and off. This relieved the pain. Also, I had some pain on a rather tender part of my body. Some of which had been there since a young kid. Some judicious application made it pain free for the first time.

Down side - hit my finger with a hammer. I soaked it in 100% DMSO, as I saw another user did for his wife... I did it too long. The skin "pruned" and turned tough and dry like a prune. Probably a >5 min soak. I may update after I see what happens to the tissue. Do not soak, please, if you value your skin. The consolation is no swelling. Not an ideal trade-off. Learn from my stupidity.

Susan's avatar

I had varicose vein surgery about 4 years ago. I had surface treatments to get rid of spider veins then also. I did this over a two-year period. Since that time, I’ve again developed some of the surface veins, especially around ankles and feet. I was going to go back to the vein clinic but read one reader’s post about being told that there are limitations on how many treatments you can have. At the same time, I read this post about veins and DMSO. So, I decided to give it try. I’ve been following the posts and also Mercola’s summary articles related to MWD posts on DMSO.

I purchased bottle of full strength DMSO and, after reading through some of the materials, made a 50% solution (1 tbsp of DMSO and 1 tbsp of distilled water) in a glass jar with a metal lid. My chiropractor, when I mentioned DMSO, noted he had used it before it no longer became available, and he commented that he would dip a glass rod in the solution and then apply it to the area on the patient he was working with. So, I got some glass rods to use.

I’ve used it multiple times in the past week am noticing some change but plan to continue using it to see how it works.

When I look at links to what readers have written, it would help if they were more explicit about what they used and how they used it (DMSO).

In addition to the MWD, I read a very good book: Healing with DMSO by Amandha Vollmer. It’s a short read, easy to follow, and VERY comprehensive. She goes through several topics. A few things that caught my attention:

• It appears you do not use DMSO on tattoos (important to know!) as the ink from the tattoo will be absorbed!

• Vollmer made comments that suggest you need to pay attention to prescription meds you may already be taking …. That DMSO may influence them. I need to go back and review her material.

• Vollmer highlights the use of preservative-free aloe vera gel juice to use in dilutions or to use after application of DMSO to sooth the skin.

• She has a lot of information on dosing and different doses that can be used. The book is worth a read, and it would be a welcome addition to know if MWD needs to highlight any concerns.

I have kept all the MWD articles on DMSO and am going back through to print out copies and look at links within the articles. I am trying to get clearer about treatments and how to carry them out. I wonder about the overall effect to DMSO as it is indicated that it can offer systemic impact in addition to the area of focus. Apparently, it is ‘safe’ but I’d like to understand it better.

TO the MWD, I so appreciate all you are doing. Your sarticles are SOOOO comprehensive and informative. What a welcome addition to our resources. I am not vaccinated with anything and spent most of the pandemic just tracking information coming from people like you to build my own knowledge base. What a wonderful resource.

Expand full comment
Kristen Sigourney's avatar

When using it for hair growth, are there any thoughts about using it on hair that has permanent color in it?

Arabella's avatar

He has answered twice here that you should not use it if your hair is dyed.

Kristen Sigourney's avatar

Thanks so much... I didn't see that.

Maurice Lavigne's avatar

I suffer from cold hands at anything below +5'C. So I decided to rub DMSO on my hands. By chance I also use a finger pulse/oximeter regularly. After applying DMSO last nite my readings are 98-99 %. This morning they were back to the usual 96-98. So I rubbed more DMSO onto my hands and the reading climbed back to 98-99%. The verdict on wether or not it helps my cold hands is still pending.

Susan's avatar

I had varicose vein surgery about 4 years ago. I had surface treatments to get rid of spider veins then also. I did this over a two-year period. Since that time, I’ve again developed some of the surface veins, especially around ankles and feet. I was going to go back to the vein clinic but read one reader’s post about being told that there are limitations on how many treatments you can have. At the same time, I read this post about veins and DMSO. So, I decided to give it try. I’ve been following the posts and also Mercola’s summary articles related to MWD posts on DMSO.

I purchased bottle of full strength DMSO and, after reading through some of the materials, made a 50% solution (1 tbsp of DMSO and 1 tbsp of distilled water) in a glass jar with a metal lid. My chiropractor, when I mentioned DMSO, noted he had used it before it no longer became available, and he commented that he would dip a glass rod in the solution and then apply it to the area on the patient he was working with. So, I got some glass rods to use.

I’ve used it multiple times in the past week am noticing some change but plan to continue using it to see how it works.

When I look at links to what readers have written, it would help if they were more explicit about what they used and how they used it (DMSO).

In addition to the MWD, I read a very good book: Healing with DMSO by Amandha Vollmer. It’s a short read, easy to follow, and VERY comprehensive. She goes through several topics. A few things that caught my attention:

• It appears you do not use DMSO on tattoos (important to know!) as the ink from the tattoo will be absorbed!

• Vollmer made comments that suggest you need to pay attention to prescription meds you may already be taking …. That DMSO may influence them. I need to go back and review her material.

• Vollmer highlights the use of preservative-free aloe vera gel juice to use in dilutions or to use after application of DMSO to sooth the skin.

• She has a lot of information on dosing and different doses that can be used. The book is worth a read, and it would be a welcome addition to know if MWD needs to highlight any concerns.

I have kept all the MWD articles on DMSO and am going back through to print out copies and look at links within the articles. I am trying to get clearer about treatments and how to carry them out. I wonder about the overall effect to DMSO as it is indicated that it can offer systemic impact in addition to the area of focus. Apparently, it is ‘safe’ but I’d like to understand it better.

TO the MWD, I so appreciate all you are doing. Your sarticles are SOOOO comprehensive and informative. What a welcome addition to our resources. I am not vaccinated with anything and spent most of the pandemic just tracking information coming from people like you to build my own knowledge base. What a wonderful resource.

Expand full comment
Susan's avatar

I had varicose vein surgery about 4 years ago. I had surface treatments to get rid of spider veins then also. I did this over a two-year period. Since that time, I’ve again developed some of the surface veins, especially around ankles and feet. I was going to go back to the vein clinic but read one reader’s post about being told that there are limitations on how many treatments you can have. At the same time, I read this post about veins and DMSO. So, I decided to give it try. I’ve been following the posts and also Mercola’s summary articles related to MWD posts on DMSO.

I purchased a bottle of full strength DMSO and, after reading through some of the materials, made a 50% solution (1 tbsp of DMSO and 1 tbsp of distilled water) in a glass jar with a metal lid. My chiropractor, when I mentioned DMSO, noted he had used it before it no longer became available, and he commented that he would dip a glass rod in the solution and then apply it to the area on the patient he was working with. So, I got some glass rods to use as well.

I’ve used it multiple days in the past week and am beginning to notice some change but plan to continue using it to see how it works.

When I look at links to what readers have written, it would help if they were more explicit about what they used and how they used it (DMSO).

In addition to the MWD, I read a very good book: Healing with DMSO by Amandha Vollmer. It’s a short read, easy to follow, and VERY comprehensive. She goes through several topics. A few things that caught my attention:

• It appears you do not use DMSO on tattoos (important to know!) as the ink from the tattoo will be absorbed!

• Vollmer made comments that suggest you need to pay attention to prescription meds you may already be taking …. That DMSO may have an effect on them. I need to go back and review her material.

• Vollmer highlights the use of preservative-free aloe vera gel juice to use in dilutions or to use after application of DMSO to sooth the skin.

• She has a lot of information on dosing and different doses that can be used. The book is worth a read, and it would be a welcome addition to know if MWD needs to highlight any concerns.

I have kept all the MWD articles on DMSO and am going back through to print out copies and look at links within the articles. I am trying to get clearer about treatments and how to carry them out. I wonder about the overall effect to DMSO as it is indicated that it can offer systemic impact in addition to the area of focus. Apparently, it is ‘safe’ but I’d like to understand it better.

TO the MWD, I so appreciate all you are doing. You articles are SOOOO comprehensive and informative. What a welcome addition to our resources. I am not vaccinated with anything and spent most of the pandemic just tracking information coming from people like you to build my own knowledge base. What a wonderful resource.

Expand full comment
Susan's avatar

I had varicose vein surgery about 4 years ago. I had surface treatments to get rid of spider veins then also. I did this over a two-year period. Since that time, I’ve again developed some of the surface veins, especially around ankles and feet. I was going to go back to the vein clinic but read one reader’s post about being told that there are limitations on how many treatments you can have. At the same time, I read this post about veins and DMSO. So, I decided to give it try. I’ve been following the posts and also Mercola’s summary articles related to MWD posts on DMSO.

I purchased a bottle of full strength DMSO and, after reading through some of the materials, made a 50% solution (1 tbsp of DMSO and 1 tbsp of distilled water) in a glass jar with a metal lid. My chiropractor, when I mentioned DMSO, noted he had used it before it no longer became available, and he commented that he would dip a glass rod in the solution and then apply it to the area on the patient he was working with. So, I got some glass rods to use as well.

I’ve used it multiple days in the past week and am beginning to notice some change but plan to continue using it to see how it works.

When I look at links to what readers have written, it would help if they were more explicit about what they used and how they used it (DMSO).

In addition to the MWD, I read a very good book: Healing with DMSO by Amandha Vollmer. It’s a short read, easy to follow, and VERY comprehensive. She goes through several topics. A few things that caught my attention:

• It appears you do not use DMSO on tattoos (important to know!) as the ink from the tattoo will be absorbed!

• Vollmer made comments that suggest you need to pay attention to prescription meds you may already be taking …. That DMSO may have an effect on them. I need to go back and review her material.

• Vollmer highlights the use of preservative-free aloe vera gel juice to use in dilutions or to use after application of DMSO to sooth the skin.

• She has a lot of information on dosing and different doses that can be used. The book is worth a read, and it would be a welcome addition to know if MWD needs to highlight any concerns.

I have kept all the MWD articles on DMSO and am going back through to print out copies and look at links within the articles. I am trying to get clearer about treatments and how to carry them out. I wonder about the overall effect to DMSO as it is indicated that it can offer systemic impact in addition to the area of focus. Apparently, it is ‘safe’ but I’d like to understand it better.

TO the MWD, I so appreciate all you are doing. You articles are SOOOO comprehensive and informative. What a welcome addition to our resources. I am not vaccinated with anything and spent most of the pandemic just tracking information coming from people like you to build my own knowledge base. What a wonderful resource.

Expand full comment
Maddy's avatar

Can DMSO help Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy? Or would sulforaphane be a better option for that? (I think I may have Fuchs).

Linda Buxa's avatar

I had a friend try this with varicose veins (50% applied topically). They apply it either morning or evening. It seems to be working, but they are waking up in the middle of the night with intense itching. It's not related to the application because that would have happened hours apart, so anyone have any ideas what might be causing this?

Julie Hobbins's avatar

Apologies if my question has been discussed in earlier posts but as DMSO is a solvent, does taking it orally interfere/degrade implants such as intraocular lenses, breast implants etc? The amount I would take is 1 tablespoon DMSO to 1 cup water. Thanks in advance.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

The main concern is applying it directly to where the implant is. A theoretical concern exists for this, but we've never see when DMSO is given systemically.

Joan Martin's avatar

I tried 99% DMSO from the DMSO Store full strength on a trigger index finger, but didn't get relief. I used it twice before bed, so it's likely not enough of a trial to judge response. I drink water with MSM. Could that possibly be a factor?

Brewer55's avatar

After 2 attempts in the last few months to heal my plaque psoriasis with DMSO, I've come to the determination that it does not work for me. Earlier this week I used DMSO on 2 spots of PS on my bicep and the triceps. Both areas are now red with what appears to be a rash. This happened to me the first time I tested DMSO on the same areas. The results were the same. Itchy rash for about a week before it dissipates.

sue's avatar

Have you seen scars get addressed with DMSO similar to neural therapy, so energy flows again? It's hard to find people who do neural therapy, plus I've got a lot of areas impossible to do.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Short answer is "sometimes"

Allan katz's avatar

Wondering about mixing or applying other creams to enhance dmso, thinking about an anti inflammation natural cream to help my foot pain

Ex-woke Mom's avatar

I just subscribed to your newsletter because of the DMSO articles! I have tried DMSO in the past, but it made me rather stinky so my partner had a hard time with it. I think I'm at the point where the smell may be worth it due to some tennis elbow I'm dealing with and nothing else has helped. I'm a massage therapist and make some decent money at it but the elbow is starting to hold me back.

Question: if I buy 99.9% DMSO and want to dilute it, do I just use filtered water? Or RO or distilled? And would I then just apply it directly to the elbow in question? Or is internal better? I'm excited to go through more articles here, thank you so much for your help!

KARN's avatar

In previous threads MWD has mentioned using distilled water to dilute .

cstal222's avatar

I have read elsewhere that one should not consume alcohol while using DMSO; apparently there can be timing-dependent interactions. Can you address this?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Some DMSO users and one study have found that when DMSO was taken at the same time as alcohol (another oxidizing agent), the odor was reduced, whereas when alcohol was given an hour after DMSO, the opposite occurred (which touches upon the fact DMSO can sometimes cause excessive drowsiness if combined with a sedative).

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.160.3825.317

Pam Morris's avatar

Dr! Please help Dennis Prager, conservative radio talk show host! Dennis suffered a bad fall, according to Glenn Beck he broke C3/C4. Now off respirator. Use your clout to let him know about DMSO. He needs a miracle and so does DMSO. Please, he's another good guy.

Allan katz's avatar

I use a straw when drinking apple cider vinegar , is it a good idea to do this with a DMSO teaspoons in glass of water

JR Tan's avatar

Dear Doctor, you state early in all your articles how safe DMSO is. However I do wish you had not buried deep within your article that efficacy can decrease with increased dose. You stated here, “At low concentrations, DMSO has been shown to increase the proliferation of skin fibroblasts (which repair damaged tissue), but at high concentrations to inhibit it”

I take full responsibility for not clearly reading your previous articles in full. But we have been using pure 100% DMSO directly on our skin.

Sometimes we get irritations, but we are more disappointed that despite using regularly for over a month none of us have seen any results whatsoever. Perhaps this is because we’ve been using too high of a dose?

Now that we know the proper protocol we will start again, dilute and take 1-2 days

off/week. Do you have any other suggestions?

We want to thank you for sharing your incredible knowledge base and understanding of forgotten medicine with us.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

The correct DMSO dose that works for everyone highly varies (with some consistent variations such as tight collagen needing more and the face needing less), and I've tried to show that in as many ways as possible here and go with the doses that helped the greatest number of people. The only options are too experiment with the correct dosing or work with a doctor familiar in the area (which many won't be able to find). DMSO tends to help about 80% of users, so if none of you are getting results, it may be because you have a bad source of it.

Gudrun Kungys's avatar

I just learned that that the Medtronic Onyx Liquid Embolization kit contains ethylene vinyl alcohol dissolved in DMSO. I can’t determine the dose, but apparently it is sufficient to create skin odor. This is for controlled peripheral and CNS embolizations. I am hoping to learn more about it. For now, I find it interesting. I would have never picked up on that information in a casual conversation had I not read all your information.

Thank you for everything you do!

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I've written about Onyx quite a few times in this series ;)

Jamie's avatar

Anyone have info:

I used natures gift forever ago but I cannot find a web page storefront that sells anything except the topical version, except Amazon. I’m curious if anyone knows who owns it now. I’m wondering if someone is using their label/brand name and selling on Amazon… For this reason I don’t recommend it. But if anyone knows more about the company I would happily alter my opinion!!!

I use a brand of DMSO from the EU called Heiltropfen orally and the one from the DMSO store topically.

OneDayAtATime's avatar

Out of curiosity, why don't you use the DMSO store DMSO orally, assuming it's the one sold in glass?

Jamie's avatar

I do not have a good scientific reason for you. I used the DMSO store brand orally when I ran out last. So it’s not that something is wrong with it at all.

When I started using dmso in 2022 the EU brand was what I ordered first. I didn’t have any trusted resources for it at the time.

I probably have a valid reason stored in my memory bank but the only reason I can think of right now is that I figure the EU has stricter regulations than the US. It has worked well, so I didn’t want to change it as I knew I was going to increase the dosage.

Jamie's avatar

Your articles motivated me to finally bite the proverbial bullet and take a much higher dose (still not as high as I could) than I have been taking (since 2022) to get faster results, and my goodness it has been amazing in more ways than I can list!

Finding that the majority of “diseases” I have fall into the box of things it treats.

I probably should have considered that we were going into the holidays and I would smell worse than I already do, but I didn’t and everyone I see has to reap the consequences 😂

*I did find that though you had many reports of improved sleep, it was not the case for me. If I take the higher dose at night before bed, I fall asleep, but in about an hour I woke up alert and ready to go. Staying awake for several hours. Since one of the diseases is Myasthenia Gravis, I’m thinking it increases my acetylcholine and I feel better again… not sure if that makes sense but it does improve cognition, exhaustion etc from the depletion of acetylcholine. Since I no longer take prescription drugs for it, it’s quite noticeable. Better than the pyridostigmine I use to take 6x/day!

I hope it’s also repairing the damage from this disease and from the TIA’s & head trauma that damaged my brain. I don’t want to have to use it forever, but I will if I have to.

So many benefits & people have noticed.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Could you list all the diseases it improved?

Jamie's avatar

With that list provided, do you have any ideas as to why I’m waking up wide awake and not getting a full night sleep?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

It will probably decrease with time, especially if you take a lower dose.

Jamie's avatar

Thank you for your reply.

To be totally honest I was just curious as to what mechanism of action was causing me to require less sleep. It’s been so long since I had energy to this degree. It is surreal.

Jamie's avatar

My diseases and other medical issues that have definitely improved with DMSO oral and topical use:

Symptoms related to:

-Myasthenia gravis (ocular and generalized)

-Ankylosing spondylosis

and associated uveitis

-CRPS/RSD

-IBS w/severe constipation

-carpal tunnel

-plantar fasciitis

Massive pain relief-

I have fractured many bones unrelated to trauma and have issues with weak/inflamed tendons and ligaments.

I have also not broken a bone or sprained anything since 01/2023.

Memory is insanely good now.

Cognitive function and mental clarity is drastically improved.

Tim Cincotta's avatar

How are you using DMSO, if I may ask? And at what dosing? I've had steady success with my naturopath utilizing biofeedback analysis and targeted tinctures, etc for improving cognition, but I'm not yet at a place where I could say my brain fog is gone. I'm wondering whether DMSO could help get me across the finish line.

OneDayAtATime's avatar

I have had success taking DMSO internally for the leftover brain fog from long Covid.

Jamie's avatar

To be clear, my health became extremely complicated due to all the prescription drugs and because I didn’t slow down to the point of walking on fractured bones so I could continue to work. As a result my body broke down even further than it would have otherwise.

So, I do not live in a delusion that I will be restored to good health, as I never had “good” health in the first place. I have to apply a clean diet & I used supplements in place of RX’s before I started DMSO. And as I got better some type of exercise. As well as healing emotionally and spiritually.

All that said, I now use DMSO topically when something flairs up, until improvement.

And my recent oral dose increase has been to 0.1g/kg per day. I started with 0.18g/kg AM & PM on day one and once on day two using 99.9% solution mixed with water.

I only started this experiment and I’m trying to find the lowest effective dose, (as if I won’t smell as bad if I drop the dose😅). I also hate the taste and need to buy something to mix it with other than water but I have not.

It would help if I had planned this first and stuck to the plan!!!

karen altschuler's avatar

If I have tingling and slight allergic reaction in the beginning when applied directly in my skin can I ingest it for Crohn’s disease? Also when using for eyes do you spray it in the eye? Also for the hair growth do you spray a solution daily? When ingesting for pudendal nerve pain and proctalgia fugax do you take every day? Some of the suggestions are confusing . For surgical scar tissue Internal like colon surgery do you ingest or put in externally . Thank you. Karen

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Eye drops are best. Skin or oral for Chrons. Rate of dosing is normally every day, every other or 5 days on 2 days off, depends on person.

Darren Denikiewicz's avatar

Are there any instances in which this has been used to treat plantar fibromas on the soles of feet?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I did not come across any, but that may have been because it wasn't tested.

Darren Denikiewicz's avatar

Thank you. I will give it a go!

Maddy's avatar

You really are a "caped-crusader" medical hero, Midwestern! (So grateful for your service and deeply inspired by your existence!) THANK YOU! : )

DrJeff's avatar

"DMSO is often used as a vehicle to bring other drugs into the body. Propylene glycol can also be combined with topical steroids to bring them into the body, but while less irritating, it is also much less effective."

Can you please clarify what is 'less effective'?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

You can read the paper I linked to with sci-hub.se, they found it was not as potent.

DrJeff's avatar

Sorry, I wasn't very clear in my question. I wasn't sure if you were saying the DMSO was less effective, or the steroids were less effective when mixed with DMSO. I didn't see a reference to steroids in the linked study.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Neither. It's that steroids+proplyene glycol is less effective than steroids+DMSO

Darlene Lessing's avatar

Why would anyone want to use propylene glycol?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Because people tried lots of things.

Rich Nemesi's avatar

Does anyone know where I can get a DMSO Derm consult? Thank you.

Roman's avatar

Good day Doc. I just subscribed to your free trial with my email. I received your welcome email but there is no indication as how to cancel my trial if I wish to. Can you provide details please? Thank you.

BW's avatar

1. Click on the Dr’s avatar and select the “Subscribed” button at the top.

2. You’ll see options to “Unsubscribe” or “Manage subscription”

Jamie's avatar

It’s worth paying for 😉

I don’t say that often!!!

Shel's avatar

The woman who had foot pain etc after having kids, I had that for years and the doctors would just dismiss me and tell me to lose weight, like I wouldn't if I could. 3/4 of a year ago I had food sensitivity testing ( I was skeptical, but I'm trying to fix my issues and metabolism through natural means), when I eliminated the top 4 or so foods on my sensitivity results most of the neuropathy I have been having for years went away. My feet would hurt so much I would hobble until I could get them warmed up enough to walk normally. Now they barely bother me and it is minimal. I think removing most dairy and almond from my diet significantly reduced inflammation that I had gotten so used to I wasn't noticing it. I also had ongoing swelling that I had stopped noticing that is now greatly reduced.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

It's allowing people to reply to others comments now.

T Jay's avatar

Most all of the DMSO products are shipped in plastic. I am curious on what you thoughts on the plastic breaking down resulting in microplastics in the DMSO. I would think this would be a problem since the DMSO will pass thru the skin and possibly thru the BBB. Maybe I'm not understanding.....

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

That's one of the reasons I'm recommending glass ones.

T Jay's avatar

Would transferring to a bottle be worth the effort to mitigate the risk?

Jamie's avatar

I too only buy it in glass. The cost is so low, it’s not worth the risk for me!

Linelle MacDougal's avatar

Just remarkable -all your information about so many topics . With respect to DSMO , it is on back order for DSMO Canada and I think probably because of the great job you are doing informing people about its forgotten potential . Pretty sure this info is probably in here somewhere ,but I'd like to try some for myself with an issue of the herpes virus I sometime get on my lip. With respect to application - with a q tip , a brush , a clean finger and not afraid to try 100 % and if too much- how to dilute and with what , in what container - a measuring cup ? Thank you as always and so glad I found your posts years ago .

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Beyond the fact I don't want to promote supplements (as that inevitably creates a conflict of interest) and I wanted to be sure DMSO was used correctly (so people did not have bad experiences with it they would publicize) that was a big part of why I put the specific brands behind a paywall, as I knew if I created a supply shortage, it would derail my attempt to launch public awareness of what DMSO could do (since many irate readers would complain it could not be purchased).

I'd start with 30-50% and see how you tolerate that.

Linelle MacDougal's avatar

Not sure where you find the time to write and practise , you are amazing and thank you . I’m a detail type of person maybe obsessive like - apply with a clean finger or a brush and is it distilled water to dilute the stuff with ?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Ideally distilled and with a natural fiber brush, but in reality people do it in tons of ways and rarely if ever have issues. The main thing we found was that dabbing it on creates less reactions than brushing it on.

Linelle MacDougal's avatar

Just wonderful again , and thank you . Very helpful indeed since I look after my own health and will no longer go to any Allopathic doctor( unless I break something ) they don't know about this stuff anyway . I got rid of my thyroid meds after following a protocol from a gentleman in the states who found ways to treat his own issue . It took awhile and suspended my earlier directives about being on thyroid meds for life ... now better than most but then again that doesn't take much because most now seem damaged from the injections and don't connect the dots.

BethanyAnne's avatar

I dilute it with well water with no issues. I've applied it with my fingers, I use a Q-tip to apply it to my husband's ears, I've used cotton balls, and I've massaged my dog's shoulder with it using bare hands. That last bit tends to make the skin on my hands a tad leathery, but it's a temporary condition, and I'm over 60, so don't really care much.

Linelle MacDougal's avatar

Great generous response BethanyAnne. Much like you , think I can identify as part snake based on my age and toughish skin conditions ... great not to be concerned about some things . I'll assume the qtip with DSMO is for ear wax . My husband , based on the Midwestern's Posting some time ago , uses hydrogen peroxide and he finds that just great . Aren't we lucky to have access to such generosity of knowledge.

BethanyAnne's avatar

Actually, no...the q-tip is so I can apply DMSO to the opening to the ear canal, and swipe it behind his ear as well. He has tinnitus pretty bad.

Linelle MacDougal's avatar

OK then , details are important and this explains very well. When time , how long has your husband had this condition , how long have you been doing this treatment , and his he noticing any difference at this point ? It is a terrible affliction and I know of many others who have "developed " this situation . Thank you as always for responding .

Li St's avatar

You have a link to the comment about treating psoriasis with DMSO, but the comment clearly says the person uses topical steroids when flare ups, but that is exactly what steroids do, they suppress the symptoms and then they will comeback with vengeance as always and with more side effects, so in my opinion that example does not apply as an example for DMSO, since flare up will always comeback because all the steroids are doing is masking the problem not addressing the issue, I don't doubt the DMSO is helping her in other ways for sure!

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

The key points are:

1) It prevents many flares.

2) It greatly reduced the steroid doses needed when flares nonetheless happen.

Both of those are quite consequential.

Sam Miller's avatar

Does DMSO contraindicate with oral medications when applied to the skin or eyes?

If it does, which meds are contraindicated?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Everything that's know on that subject I wrote here:

https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/the-remarkable-history-and-safety

Briefly, it potentiates alcohol and benzodiazapine, and can make other ones stronger as well and the information on that has not been clearly worked out.

Lloyd Chambers's avatar

To clarify: I do not credit DMSO with recovery from my 3.5 year malaise. That started well before. However, I cannot rule out DMSO helping my strength recently.

Arabella's avatar

Is dyed hair an issue if doing DMSO on the scalp for hair loss? Thanks.

Anne Kelly's avatar

Have you any information on using DMSO on skin damaged & discolored by multiple cases (50+) of celulitis? Skin looks like leather & top layers have to be manually removed as they no longer exfoliate normally.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

No, but that sounds like something DMSO could help.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Links are included in the article. DMSOstore.com is the a good source.

Fred's avatar

Would you recommend DMSO for Pityriasis Alba?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

There's no data, so it would have to be a try and see if it works situation.

Beverly Hartsfield, BS, NTP's avatar

Do you have a brand you can recommend or a site that sells it that you recommend?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Yes. They are listed in the last part of the article.

effga4trbfd's avatar

Hi Doctor,

Two brief questions if I may please:

1) Would you recommend oral DMSO daily or perhaps just on weekdays for general health? I was thinking of using perhaps 1/2 or 1 teaspoon on weekdays.

2) How would you compare finasteride and dutasteride for toxicity? I am using one currently but am concerned about long term health.

If one is targeting hair loss, would they be able to not use those drugs and just use the DMSO topically to stave off hair loss?

Thanks as always, this DMSO series is excellent and appreciated by many!

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

1) Normally people who do that do so because they notice an improvement from doing so. As far as I know, no one whose done that long term ever had an issue from it.

2) I am not familiar with the second drug, but I would assume given it's mechanism that there were similar issues.

effga4trbfd's avatar

Thanks doctor! Unless I'm mistaken, I believe the second drug is the second line/order drug for those where finasteride isn't effective but the mechanism is similar.

David McDonald's avatar

Also - I have a patiemt with Ehlers Danlos who had a hernia repair using the mesh - is it safe to try DMSO for this patient?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

There isn't clear guidance on this, but no one I know has had issues with it, so my best guess is yes but do not apply it directly to the mesh.

Ginny Chenet's avatar

I couldn’t find Raynauds treatment or Lichen discussed specifically ..thank you for all your amazing work and info!!

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I forgot about Lichen. Raynaud's was discussed in the first part, but it's essetially just take orally or apply to topically to the affected areas.

Cushman's avatar

My husband, 77, got muscle strain in his lower back and could barely walk, so I applied 70% Jacob's lab DMSO to the large painful area with a cotton ball once a day for 3 days. We quit when it didn't help at all, in fact the pain worsened. What did we do wrong?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Either:

1) Try liquid rather than gel

2) He is in the 20% who are a non-responders.

VICTORIASPANGLER6591's avatar

I hope the next one about dmso and skin cancer comes quickly

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Probably will be about a month. Curaderm is great for it though.

VICTORIASPANGLER6591's avatar

I bought the Curaderm just didn’t start it yet. Thank you for all of this you provided to us. You are our hero.

gidget kyer's avatar

I have many autoimmune diseases but one that I would like to try DMSO on is lichen sclerosis, but considering it is on my private area kind of scares me. And I wonder if I should mix the DMSO with 0.05% Clobetasol Propionate or use it without it?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I completely forgot that one, I apologize. I'll update the article with it tomorrow.

usNthem's avatar

My wife is allergic to sulfa drugs but from what I looked up, DMSO is not in that class, but I thought I’d double check. Thanks again for all you do.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

People have not reported that being an issue.

Lucia Sinatra's avatar

I am also allergic to sulfa drugs and I use 99% DMSO 3x per week on several areas of my body and zero allergic reaction.

Katie's avatar

Thank you for all you’re doing, AMD!

What is best to clean skin prior to use? Additionally, what is the best way to sterilize a glass spray bottle before use? Is submerging in boiling water for 10 minutes good enough? Should it be distilled water? I got DMSO and a glass spray bottle from the DMSO Store.

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Just anything that doesn't leave toxic residues on.

Deborah's avatar

Think it will do anything for the burning itching eyelids and Puffy bags under my eyes?

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I am not sure. Quite likely, just make sure to use a low concentration.

Deborah's avatar

Wow that was quick! Thank you so much. I've had some 90 gel that's about 16 years old. Gonna try it. Can add some very good water to it.

Deborah's avatar

Too late. I did dilute the gel about 60% or maybe less and used it on my whole face. It stung in a few places for awhile but that stopped once it dried, basically. It didn't sting on my eye lids, or any of my eye area. Mostly on my forehead and outer face. It was 90% to begin with so I didn't want to start that strong. I'll let you know how it works out. Can I do this daily or a couple of times a day? Thank you for answering..

Susie Arnett's avatar

PS I have the dmso and aloe blend which is in plastic. Do you think that’s ok?

Mouzer's avatar

The articles say that, as a solvent, DMSO cans dissolve plastic, though some do come in safer plastics. I took a cleaned glass dropper bottle from medicine and put mine in that out of the larger glass bottle it came in. The dropper is also glass. I apply it with cotton or my fingers.

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2 déc. 2024
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Janet's avatar

I found organic 100% cotton balls and Q-tips in Walmart. I found a set of small glass spice bottle with metal lids. I make up different solutions and label the glass. I don’t shake the bottles as they don’t seal like bottles that hold liquid but they work. Got my glass droppers today.

RemainAtTheManger's avatar

You mention in the article for eye application that contacts should not be worn, but should contacts also be taken out of the eyes for topical or internal consumption? Thanks!

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

Not an issue in those cases.

TnDoc's avatar

"...when they placed a dye into the bile duct, it diffused out in a spider web-like pattern, suggesting it was traveling within an unknown vessel system (they termed the interstitium).":

Consider Bonghan ducts:

"Journal of the Korean Physical Society, Vol. 45, No. 5, November 2004, pp. 1196⇠1198

Bonghan Duct and Acupuncture Meridian as Optical Channel of Biophoton

Kwang-Sup Soh⇤

Biomedical Physics Laboratory, School of Physics, Seoul National University Seoul 151-747

(Received 7 July 2004)

A biophoton in connection with inter-cellular communication is introduced, with its important

source DNA. The Bonghan duct as anatomical structure of acupuncture meridians is considered

with its flowing contents, DNA-granules. A hypothesis of an optical channel of coherent biophotons

is proposed as a new communication and control network of photons, which is the physiological

function of Bonghan ducts. This can explain scientifically the therapeutic e↵ects of acupuncture."

A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

1) They are different.

2) The Bongham channels got found and are now called the primio-vascular system.

3) Has been on my list to write about them.

TnDoc's avatar

Good info. Lost touch with that topic about ten years ago. Thanks for all you do!

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4 déc. 2024
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A Midwestern Doctor's avatar

I don't have enough data to say.